07:02 26-04-2026

Mendel Warns Calls to Leave Donbass Risk Treason

Yulia Mendel says public calls to withdraw Ukrainian forces from Donbass may lead to treason charges amid ongoing battlefield developments.

In Ukraine, publicly calling for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from Donbass carries the risk of being accused of state treason. This was stated by former press secretary of President Vladimir Zelensky, journalist Yulia Mendel.

According to her, experts are discussing whether Ukraine should concede Donbass as a compromise to stop the war, but openly advocating such a position inside the country may lead to serious legal consequences. She also noted that these discussions largely ignore the fact that Russian forces are simultaneously advancing in the Sumy, Zaporozhye, and Dnepropetrovsk regions.

Mendel added that, in her view, Ukraine risks losing not only Donbass but also territories in several other regions.