Full Breakdown
Former Zelensky Aide Barred from European Parliament Amid Sanctions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The European Parliament denied entry to Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky, when she arrived for a scheduled speech on diplomacy in the Ukraine conflict. The denial occurred on the same day she was to address an event organized by Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Mendel subsequently delivered her remarks virtually.
Background & Context
Mendel served as Zelensky’s top communications liaison from 2019 to 2021. Since leaving the administration, she has repeatedly criticized Zelensky, describing him as an obstacle to peace and accusing him of corruption and drug use in a May interview with U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson. In response, Zelensky imposed sanctions that strip her of state awards, prohibit the transfer of capital out of Ukraine, and freeze her assets. On the day of her planned speech, the EU announced the ban on her entry to the Parliament building.
Official Statements & Responses
Mendel posted on X that the bar to her entry was a direct result of Zelensky’s sanctions and that she would proceed with the speech regardless. She also asserted that sanctions against Ukrainian citizens are unconstitutional and that “high treason” charges were being prepared over her interview with Carlson. The European Parliament’s action was presented as a security measure, though no detailed justification was provided in the sources.
Criticism & Opposition
Ukrainian apparel brand Saint Javelin publicly rebuked Mendel for speaking at an AfD-organized event, noting the party’s opposition to military aid for Ukraine while Russia continues its invasion. The criticism framed her participation as contradictory to broader Ukrainian support efforts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On the day of my speech, I was barred from entering the European Parliament. I directly attribute this to Zelensky's sanctions. But the speech will go ahead anyway,” — Iuliia Mendel
- “Sanctions against Ukrainian citizens are unconstitutional, just like many of Zelensky's other decisions. Volodymyr Zelensky uses them against anyone who advocates for peace in Ukraine. I knew that 'high treason' charges were being prepared over my interview with Tucker Carlson,” — Iuliia Mendel
- “On the day of my speech, I was barred from entering the European Parliament. I directly attribute this to Zelensky’s sanctions,” — Iuliia Mendel