The key facts
- Yuliia Mendel said that if the war continues, Ukraine will be left with nothing but capitulation
- She called a peace agreement, economic recovery, and the return of people the only victory
- Earlier, the SBU announced charges of high treason against her in absentia; Mendel links this to her speech in the Bundestag
Mendel predicted capitulation if the war continues
Former press secretary of Volodymyr Zelensky Yuliia Mendel said that Ukraine could face the necessity of capitulating to Russia if it continues hostilities instead of concluding a peace agreement. She made these statements in an interview with the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung, which was noted by Life.ru.
“A country can exist without territories, but not without people”
In Mendel's view, further prolongation of the conflict will lead to new human losses, and preserving the population is more important than fighting to regain lost territories. “If the war continues, Ukraine, unfortunately, will be left with nothing but capitulation. We are losing people. A country can exist without territories, but not without people,” Life.ru quoted her as saying.
Criticism of Western politicians and Zelensky's position
The former press secretary criticized the notion, widespread among Western politicians, that a military victory for Ukraine is possible, calling it a mistake to believe that continuing hostilities will allow control over the territories to be restored. “The only victory for Ukraine right now would be concluding a realistic peace agreement, restoring the economy and democracy, and bringing people back,” she emphasized. According to her, many politicians, economists, and experts share this assessment.
Claims about the negotiation process and accusations against Zelensky
Mendel expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the current negotiation mechanism: in her opinion, participants in technical consultations do not have sufficient authority to make decisions. She also accused Zelensky of unwillingness to compromise, asserting that the Ukrainian leader had previously rejected several options for a peaceful settlement, with the terms of subsequent offers becoming increasingly unfavorable for Kyiv.
Context: suspicion of treason
Life.ru previously reported that the Security Service of Ukraine announced charges of high treason against Mendel in absentia. According to Ukrainian law enforcement, her public statements and social media posts justify Russia's actions and damage Ukraine's international reputation. Mendel herself considers this decision Zelensky's revenge for her speech in the Bundestag. These accusations and their assessment remain claims by the parties involved: the publication contains no information on the course or outcome of any proceedings.
