France orders Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave over alleged Kremlin propaganda

France has ordered Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova to leave the country, accusing her of acting as a channel for Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising public order and undermining trust in French and European democratic institutions.

The French Interior Ministry confirmed the expulsion order on Wednesday, July 29. According to reports, Fedorova has been placed under house arrest and must report daily to a police station while legal proceedings continue.

Fedorova, the former head of RT France, currently works for French media outlets owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including CNews, Europe 1, and Le Journal du Dimanche.

French authorities allege that she has consistently promoted Kremlin narratives about Russia's war in Ukraine and relations between Russia and the West.

According to the expulsion order, Fedorova acted "as a conduit for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the Russian authorities" with the aim of "destabilising public order" and "manipulating public opinion," while also seeking to erode confidence in French and European institutions.

The decision comes as France prepares for its 2027 presidential election, amid growing concerns over foreign influence and disinformation campaigns.

Fedorova's employers condemned the move, describing it as an attack on press freedom.

In a joint statement, Canal+ and Lagardère argued that freedom of expression should also protect views that are controversial or unpopular.

"Freedom of expression is not defended only when the opinions expressed are widely shared. It is defended precisely when those opinions disturb or provoke disagreement," the companies said.

Her lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, announced that the decision would be appealed immediately, insisting that Fedorova is a professional journalist.

"This decision is a serious infringement of the freedom of expression of a journalist," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron has previously questioned Fedorova's role as a journalist, arguing that media outlets spreading "defamatory falsehoods" should be regarded as "instruments of influence" rather than legitimate news organisations.

Although France renewed Fedorova's residence permit for another 10 years in 2024, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot later said that giving her a platform amounted to "doing Vladimir Putin's bidding."

Fedorova has denied being a Kremlin propagandist. In her 2025 book, Bannie ("Banned"), she portrays herself as a victim of state censorship following the shutdown of RT France after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.