Zelensky’s Press Secretary Reveals All: Cocaine, Cover-ups, and the Only Obstacle Preventing Peace

May 11, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

In a candid interview, former Zelensky press secretary Iryna Gerashchenko, who served from 2019 to 2021, describes the Ukrainian president as an emotionally unstable actor lacking empathy, who prioritizes personal power over peace. Drawing from her insider experience and recent contacts, she argues Zelensky manipulates narratives, engages in corruption, and blocks peace deals, dooming Ukraine to demographic and economic collapse. She condemns Russian war crimes but insists supporting Ukraine now means forcing a peace deal.

Zelensky's Character and Governance Style

Gerashchenko portrays Zelensky off-camera as hysterical, emotionally uncontrollable, and viewing people as disposable. He reportedly said "Ukraine is not ready for democracy" and "dictatorship is an order," yet poses as democracy's face. She recounts his demand for "Goebbels propaganda"—thousands of paid "talking heads" to fabricate positive news, regardless of reality, like unfulfilled promises of apartments for displaced families from Donbas.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:04) **Guest Introduction** - Zelensky's former press secretary (2019-2021) explains her hiring and initial loyalty
2 (01:39) **Zelensky's Hidden Character** - Describes him as emotionally unstable actor lacking empathy, detached from reality
3 (03:13) **Shift from Novice to Western Darling** - Western leaders once dismissed him as unqualified, now prop him up despite hollowing Ukraine
4 (04:49) **Ukraine's Demographic Collapse** - Population dropped from 34-37M to ~25M, mostly retirees on starvation pensions
5 (06:54) **War Casualties and Cover-ups** - Hundreds of thousands military dead unreported; bodies misclassified to hide losses
6 (09:07) **Corruption Schemes** - Zelensky approves money laundering via social policy ministry stealing from pensions
7 (11:29) **Zelensky as Peace Candidate** - Campaigned on peace with Russia, made fortune there, vacationed in occupied Crimea

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Corruption, drugs and greed: Volodymyr Zelensky’s longtime press secretary on the secret world of the West’s favorite dictator.

(00:00) How Did Mendel Begin Working for Zelensky? (36:44) Who Does Zelensky Actually Listen To? (50:17) Why Hasn’t Western Media Spoken up for Ukrainians? (1:09:16) Does Zelensky Do Coke? (1:13:04) What’s Zelensky’s Wife Like?

Ex-Spokesperson for President Zelenskyy | Insider scoops from Kyiv’s frontlines

Writing a bold new exposé on the real story behind the scenes.

Byline: NYT, Politico, WaPo.

X: @IuliiaMendel

IG: @iuliia_mendel

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