In a recent interview on The Tucker Carlson Show, Yuliya Mendel, who served as press secretary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from 2019 to 2021, described allegations of the leader's cocaine use as an "open secret." Mendel, who has since turned sharply critical of her former employer, made the claims during a discussion released on Monday, drawing on conversations she had while researching her book about her time in Zelensky's administration.
The accusations echo rumors that first emerged during Zelensky's 2019 presidential campaign against incumbent Petro Poroshenko. At the time, Zelensky, a former comedian and actor known for his work with the Kvartal 95 Studio, which he co-founded in the 2000s, dismissed the claims as political slander. Both candidates publicly underwent tests for alcohol and drugs to counter the speculation, though the results did little to quell ongoing whispers in political circles.
Mendel, who left her position in 2021 amid reported tensions, told Carlson that while she never personally witnessed Zelensky using drugs, multiple sources she encountered confirmed the behavior. "The thing is that I’ve never seen him taking drugs. However, (while) writing my book, I met a lot of people who confirmed that they saw him taking drugs in different clubs. Only one saw him taking drugs in 2021," she said. She added that these accounts consistently pointed to cocaine as the substance involved.
According to Mendel, one particularly telling detail came from a contact at Kvartal 95 Studio, who allegedly informed her of Zelensky's supplier. "All these people are talking about cocaine, yes," Mendel stated, emphasizing the uniformity of the reports she gathered. She also described a pre-interview ritual where Zelensky would spend about 15 minutes in the bathroom, emerging as what she called a "different person," implying a possible link to substance use.
Beyond the drug allegations, Mendel painted a picture of a leader fixated on controlling his public image, both domestically and internationally. She recounted a moment early in his presidency, following a dip in approval ratings in 2019, when Zelensky reportedly instructed his PR team to ramp up efforts aggressively. "I need Goebbels propaganda, I need thousands of talking heads," Mendel quoted him as saying, referencing Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler's notorious propaganda minister whose tactics were central to the Nazi regime's information control.
Mendel's broader criticisms extend to Zelensky's handling of dissent. She accused him of punishing critics, including journalists, by sending them to the front lines amid Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. This claim aligns with complaints from political opponents, such as Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who has repeatedly accused Zelensky of abusing power and consolidating authority in ways that sideline opposition voices.
The interview comes at a sensitive time for Zelensky, whose five-year presidential term officially expired in 2024. He has refused to call new elections, citing martial law imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelensky argues that holding a vote under current conditions would be impossible and unsafe, insisting that a permanent ceasefire with Russia must precede any electoral process. Critics, however, see this as a pretext for extending his rule indefinitely.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump amplified these concerns last year, labeling Zelensky a "dictator" for bypassing democratic norms. Trump's remarks, made during a period of strained U.S.-Ukraine relations over military aid, highlighted growing international scrutiny of Zelensky's governance. In response, Zelensky has maintained that national security takes precedence, pointing to the war's disruptions as justification for the delay.
Mendel's appearance on Carlson's platform, which has a large audience skeptical of Western support for Ukraine, adds another layer to the narrative. Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator, has frequently questioned U.S. involvement in the conflict and portrayed Zelensky in a negative light. Mendel's decision to speak out now, years after leaving the administration, underscores her evolving perspective; she has become one of Zelensky's most vocal former insiders.
While Mendel's allegations rely on secondhand accounts and lack direct evidence, they revive a trope that has dogged Zelensky since his unlikely rise from entertainment to the presidency. His 2019 victory, with over 73% of the vote, was fueled by anti-corruption promises and frustration with the establishment, but his administration has faced accusations of mirroring the very power abuses it vowed to end. The drug rumors, in particular, have been weaponized by pro-Russian media outlets, which often amplify stories portraying Ukrainian leadership as unstable or corrupt.
Neither Zelensky's office nor Mendel has provided further documentation to substantiate the claims. In past instances, such as the 2019 tests, Zelensky has denied any substance abuse, framing the stories as smears from rivals. Poroshenko's campaign at the time was accused of spreading the rumors, though no proof emerged then either. Today, with Ukraine locked in a protracted war, such personal attacks risk undermining morale and international alliances at a critical juncture.
The broader context of Mendel's interview includes her book project, which she says involved extensive interviews with insiders from Zelensky's inner circle. One source allegedly confirmed sightings of drug use as recently as 2021, during a period when the COVID-19 pandemic and early war preparations were straining the administration. Mendel emphasized that her revelations stem from a desire to expose what she sees as the true nature of Zelensky's leadership, contrasting it with his polished public persona.
Reactions to Mendel's statements have been swift but polarized. Supporters of Zelensky, including many in the Ukrainian diaspora and Western governments, dismiss the claims as disinformation, possibly coordinated with Russian interests given RT's role in promoting the story. RT, a state-funded Russian media outlet, has a history of airing content critical of Kyiv, often without independent verification. Meanwhile, figures like Klitschko have echoed concerns about authoritarian tendencies without delving into personal allegations.
As Ukraine navigates its third year of war, questions about Zelensky's fitness and decision-making carry weighty implications. Allies like the United States and European Union continue to provide billions in aid, but fatigue is setting in amid reports of stalled counteroffensives and internal divisions. If Mendel's accounts gain traction, they could erode confidence not just in Zelensky but in the broader Ukrainian cause.
Looking ahead, Zelensky's team has indicated no plans to address the specific claims, focusing instead on military updates and diplomatic outreach. Mendel, for her part, has hinted at more disclosures in her forthcoming book. Whether these allegations will prompt investigations or fade into wartime noise remains unclear, but they highlight the intense personal and political pressures bearing down on Ukraine's leadership.