The French interior ministry announced on Wednesday that it has ordered Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova to leave France, accusing her of disseminating Kremlin propaganda through French media. Fedorova, who previously headed the now-banned RT France, has been placed under house arrest and must report to a police station daily.
According to the ministry, Fedorova's activities “undermine the fundamental interests of the state” and her presence in France “constitutes a particularly serious and current threat to public order.” The order follows years of concern among disinformation experts about her influence, particularly ahead of France's presidential election next year.
A controversial figure in French media
Fedorova currently works as a commentator for outlets owned by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including CNews, Europe 1, and Le Journal du Dimanche. Critics accuse her of echoing Kremlin narratives on Ukraine and the West. French newspaper Libération reported that the expulsion order describes her as acting “as a conduit for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the Russian authorities” aimed at “destabilising public order” in France.
Her employer expressed shock at the decision, calling it “a particularly serious infringement of freedom of expression.” Fedorova's case has reignited debates about the balance between free speech and national security in Europe.
President Emmanuel Macron has long been skeptical of Fedorova's journalistic credentials. In 2017, he implied she was not a journalist, and when asked again in June, he said his opinion remained unchanged. The French government has taken a firm stance against Russian propaganda since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which led to the ban on RT France.
The expulsion order is part of broader European efforts to counter disinformation. Similar measures have been taken in other EU member states, reflecting a coordinated approach to protect democratic processes. The European Union has also mandated deepfake labels under the AI Act, though enforcement faces hurdles, as seen in recent challenges.
Fedorova's case highlights the tension between media freedom and state security. While her supporters argue that the expulsion stifles dissent, French authorities maintain that her activities pose a real danger. The outcome could set a precedent for how Europe handles foreign propaganda within its borders.
As France prepares for the next presidential election, the expulsion of a prominent pro-Russian voice signals a hardening of its stance. The move also aligns with broader European efforts to counter Russian influence, including Ukraine's intensified drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, which have disrupted energy exports and reshaped regional security dynamics.
