EU Sanctions Former RT France Chief Xenia Fedorova
The EU has added former RT France chief Xenia Fedorova to its sanctions list on Thursday for spreading pro-Kremlin narratives in French media. The move comes after France ordered her expulsion in July and as Russian disinformation targets France’s 2027 elections.
The European Union has sanctioned former RT France chief Xenia Fedorova for allegedly spreading Kremlin propaganda in French media as part of Russia's hybrid campaign against Europe. Fedorova, who served as president and director of information at RT France, helped disseminate the Russian state broadcaster's editorial line, including pro-Moscow messaging about the war in Ukraine.
The EU added her to its sanctions list, accusing her of foreign information manipulation and interference, a threat to democracy and stability in member states. This move brings the total number of individuals targeted by EU sanctions under Russia's destabilizing activities to 81, alongside 20 entities. Fedorova's listing has sparked criticism from the French government, which has been vocal about her role in spreading disinformation since RT France shut down in 2023.
Despite being barred from broadcasting in the EU, Fedorova continued to commentate for media owned by conservative French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including CNews, Europe1, and Le JDNews. Her views echoed Western support for Kyiv, NATO, and diplomatic relations between Russia and the EU. In 2024, her French residence permit was extended for 10 years.
Following the sanctions, France ordered Fedorova to leave the country, placing her under house arrest and requiring daily police reporting. Her lawyer plans to appeal the expulsion order, citing it as a violation of press freedom. The EU's sanctions come as Russian disinformation networks increasingly target contenders in France's April 2027 presidential election, with Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications analyzing the threat.
France has become the second-most targeted country for Russian information manipulation after Ukraine. The EU extended sanctions on Russia for three years, removing two Russian oligarchs from the blacklist in exchange, while Latvia and Estonia imposed national sanctions on the same men. Meanwhile, UK criticism and the intention to maintain sanctions were expressed, while Marine Le Pen, the front-runner for the far-right National Rally party in the upcoming French presidential election, announced she would end financial aid to Ukraine and deny France is at war with Russia.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
