France to deport Kremlin-funded broadcaster's French branch head

France's Ministry of Interior has ordered the expulsion from the country of Russian propagandist Xenia Fedorova, who previously headed RT France, the French-language branch of RT (formerly Russia Today), a Russian state-controlled news network funded by the Kremlin.

Source: European Pravda citing France24, a French state-owned news television network

Details: According to French media, including the newspaper Libération, Fedorova is accused of facilitating disinformation campaigns in France organised by Russian authorities aimed at "destabilising public order".

Fedorova headed the French service of RT channel from 2017 to 2023. Paris banned its operations after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The journalist later remained in France, working as a commentator for outlets in the media empire of conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré. She regularly appears on the TV channel CNews, on Europe 1 radio and writes a column for Le Journal du Dimanche, spreading Russian propaganda about Ukraine and its Western partners.

Fedorova's lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, stated that she will immediately appeal the deportation decision.

Background:

• In February, it was reported that France's Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (ARCOM) would block access to 35 websites of Russian media outlets and TV/radio stations via streaming platforms in accordance with EU sanctions.
• Earlier, G7 countries said Russia is seeking to manipulate public opinion in the West through its propaganda broadcaster RT.

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