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Zelensky proposed ‘handing over’ Donbass during 2022 talks with Russia — former official

TASS · 🇺🇦 public Ukraine · · 145 words
Diplomatic Negotiations Ukrainian Political Legitimacy
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What to know about Diplomatic Negotiations

The article reports on claims made by Yulia Mendel, a former spokeswoman for the Ukrainian government, during an interview with Tucker Carlson. Mendel alleges that President Volodymyr Zelensky previously agreed to cede Donbass to Russia during 2022 negotiations in Istanbul.

Propaganda risk 40%
Claims checked 3
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

9 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

During the Moscow-Kiev talks in Istanbul in 2022, Vladimir Zelensky proposed "handing over Donbass" to Russia, Yulia Mendel, former spokeswoman for the head of the Kiev regime, stated.

Why it matters

"I was talking to people who represented Ukraine at negotiations in Istanbul in 2022 <…>.

Common ground

I was explained in details that they agreed for everything, and furthermore, which is very important, they said that Zelensky personally agreed to give away Donbass [to Russia]," she said in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Smears: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

The article reports on claims made by Yulia Mendel, a former spokeswoman for the Ukrainian government, during an interview with Tucker Carlson. Mendel alleges that President Volodymyr Zelensky previously agreed to cede Donbass to Russia during 2022 negotiations in Istanbul.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://tass.com/world/2129505

analyticsAnalysis

40%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 90%
Moderate concerns. Notable use of persuasive or loaded language.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 95% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Smears 80% confidence
Using damaging allegations to undermine a person's reputation.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing smears helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 3 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 3
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Claim 1: “I was talking to people who represented Ukraine at negotiations in Istanbul in 2022”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (SFG Media and TASS) quote Mendel specifically stating that she spoke with people who represented Ukraine at the Istanbul negotiations in 2022.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Iuliia Volodymyrivna Mendel is a Ukrainian journalist and political advisor.Mendel won a competition for press secretary that was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 30 April 2019…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iuliia_Mendel
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web search NEUTRAL — “I spoke with people who represented Ukraine at the Istanbul negotiations in 2022. And they explained to me in detail that they agreed to everything. Moreover—and this is very important—they said that…
https://sfg.media/en/a/mendel-zelensky-donbas-istanbul-talks…
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web search NEUTRAL — Yulia Mendel says people who represented Ukraine at the negotiations "agreed for everything".
https://tass.com/world/2129505
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Claim 2: “she said in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (LIGA.net and other web search results) confirm that Yulia Mendel gave an interview to Tucker Carlson, including mentions of the video being published on YouTube.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Yulia Mendel in an interview with Tucker Carlson (Photo: screenshot from Carlson's YouTube channel).Current presidential adviser Serhiy Lytvyn commented on her statements in a chat with journalists at…
https://news.liga.net/en/politics/news/zelenskys-former-spok…
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web search NEUTRAL — Former press secretary of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Yulia Mendel, gave an hour and a half interview to conservative American journalist Tucker Carlson. The video on May 11 was published o…
https://knews.media/2026/05/11/the-lady-hasnt-been-herself-f…
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web search NEUTRAL — Mendel's main claims: — After briefings, Zelensky always used to run to the restroom and return "full of energy." According to her, it is common knowledge within his inner circle that the expired Pres…
https://vk.com/video-221156922_456350492
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Claim 3: “During the Moscow-Kiev talks in Istanbul in 2022, Vladimir Zelensky proposed "handing over Donbass" to Russia, Yulia Mendel, former spokeswoman for the head of the Kiev regime, stated.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (TASS, SFG Media, and other web results) report that Yulia Mendel stated Zelensky proposed handing over Donbass during the 2022 Istanbul talks.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Dnipro is Ukraine's fourth-largest city, with about one million inhabitants. It is located in the eastern part of Ukraine, 391 km (243 mi) southeast of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on the Dnipro River, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnipro
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — During the Moscow-Kiev talks in Istanbul in 2022, Vladimir Zelensky proposed "handing over Donbass" to Russia, Yulia Mendel, former spokeswoman for the head of the Kiev regime, stated.
https://tass.com/world/2129505
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In an interview, he also claimed that Russia and Ukraine were willing to make major concessions and end the conflict, until pressure from then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson convinced Zelensky to bac…
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/ukraine-russia-2669196351/
+ 1 more evidence source
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.