Zelensky's former spokeswoman is being pursued by the Ukrainian services

The information was provided on Tuesday by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). According to their statement, Mendel allegedly spread content favorable to Russia, the purpose of which was to undermine Ukraine's image and limit international aid for this country.

Julia Mendel was President Zelensky's spokeswoman in 2019–2021.

Investigators point to statements and entries

According to Ukrainian institutions, the evidence includes Mendel's public statements to foreign media and her activity on social networking sites.

The announcement mentioned, among others: a conversation between the former spokeswoman and the American journalist Tucker Carlson. In it, Mendel allegedly said that Ukraine was "on the verge of collapse" and its nation was "degrading." She also claimed that there was no democracy or freedom of speech in the country, comparing the situation to the reality of the Soviet Union.

Investigators also accuse her of claiming that there is no democracy or freedom of speech in Ukraine. In the interview, she compared the situation in the country to the reality of the Soviet Union.

According to the Ukrainian services, the conducted expert opinions were supposed to show signs of a "destructive informational and psychological influence" in Mendel's statements, aimed at state security and information security of Ukraine.

According to investigators, its message could shape the image of Ukraine among foreign recipients as a country undeserving of further aid. He also allegedly presented the Ukrainian authorities as an obstacle to achieving peace.

The SBU and the prosecutor's office also estimate that these messages could have strengthened the discouragement and demoralization of society in Ukraine itself. According to the institution, some of Mendel's statements were used by Russian state and pro-government media in propaganda materials.

Mendel herself denies cooperation with Russia

The president's former spokeswoman commented on the matter on Facebook. She wrote that the charges were related to her public statements about corruption in Zelensky's circle, lack of freedom of speech and - as she put it - political persecution.

Mendel denied collaborating with the Russians. She emphasized that if such cooperation had taken place, it would have been indicated in the materials regarding the allegations.

The SBU reported that because Mendel is outside Ukraine, actions are underway to bring her to justice.

The penalty for high treason under martial law in Ukraine is from 15 years to life imprisonment.