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Former Press Secretary Says Zelensky Ceded Donbas; Ukraine Denies

6/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 11, 2026, Ukrainian press secretary Yuliia Mendel told Tucker Carlson that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had ceded the Donbas region to Russia.
The Ukrainian office refuted Mendel’s claim, noting she left the administration in 2021 and had no involvement in the 2022 negotiations.
Within 24 hours, Russian outlet RT amplified the interview, according to NewsGuard.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 Ukraine gave up roughly 1,700 nuclear warheads under the Budapest Memorandum, receiving security guarantees from Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Those assurances were breached by Russia’s 2014 annexation and 2022 invasion, and now a 2026 interview by former press secretary Yuliia Mendel alleging Zelensky’s Donbas concession is amplified by RT, echoing past disputes over Ukraine’s borders.

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Story summary

On May 11, 2026, Ukrainian press secretary Yuliia Mendel told Tucker Carlson that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had ceded the Donbas region to Russia.
The Ukrainian office refuted Mendel’s claim, noting she left the administration in 2021 and had no involvement in the 2022 negotiations.
Within 24 hours, Russian outlet RT amplified the interview, according to NewsGuard.

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