EU sanctions Russian pundit expelled from France
The EU imposed sanctions on Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, who was expelled by France over claims that she is a Kremlin agent.
Brussels, Belgium: The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova following her high-profile expulsion from France over allegations that she acts as a Kremlin agent.
The 27-nation bloc stated that Fedorova, a former senior executive of Russia Today France, actively disseminated pro-Russian narratives across Europe amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
French authorities formally expelled the 45-year-old media figure in August after she lost an appeal against a court deportation order.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that France and the wider European Union will continue thwarting destabilising activities on their soil, warning that those carrying out hostile actions against their democracy will face direct consequences.
Fedorova previously headed the French branch of RT before the network was banned following Russia's 2022 invasion.
Following the network ban, she became a commentator for broadcasting outlets within conservative French billionaire Vincent Bollore's media group, including the CNews channel.
Although Fedorova has decried the accusations as censorship and noted she was abroad when the order took effect, the EU has advanced formal sanctions against her.
Xenia Fedorova, the former director of the French version of Russian state-run foreign language channel RT, which was banned in France after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP
