France has ordered the deportation and asset freeze of Xenia Fedorova, the former director of Russia Today (RT) in France, over state security concerns, according to interior ministry decrees cited in news reports. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez signed the expulsion order for the 45-year-old commentator—whose birth name is Ksénia Borchik—stating that her activities pose a particularly grave threat to public order and fundamentally undermine state interests. The executive action revokes her residency permit and halts her broadcasting work across several French conservative outlets, pitting government security claims directly against press freedom defenses raised by her legal team and union groups.
Deportation Order and Asset Freeze Details
The French Ministry of Interior issued the expulsion directive alongside a six-month asset freeze to prevent ongoing foreign interference, according to government notices. The financial restrictions prohibit third parties from making funds or resources available to Fedorova or entities she controls. Fedorova arrived in France in 2017 to launch the local branch of RT, a Kremlin-funded broadcaster that Paris banned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since that television ban, she has maintained a media presence as a commentator on channels and publications associated with conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including Cnews, Europe 1, the Sunday weekly Le Journal du dimanche, and JDNews.
Government Rationale Versus Legal Defense
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the expulsion during a television interview on RTL, stating the measure does not violate free speech but targets systematic Kremlin propaganda regarding the conflict in Ukraine and French foreign policy. Government decrees argue that Fedorova uses terms like “special operation” instead of war, blames Western nations for prolonging the fighting, and asserts in her columns—such as a recent piece in JDNews arguing Europe has paid the price for cutting off Russian energy—that she attempts to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in European and French institutions. Conversely, defense attorney Emmanuel Piwnica announced plans to appeal both the deportation and asset freezes, denouncing the actions as manifestly illegal political pressure and censorship disguised as administrative enforcement. Meanwhile, employees at Canal+ and Lagardère groups released a statement criticizing the sanctions and expressing support for the commentator.
Did you know? French President Emmanuel Macron has consistently raised concerns regarding Kremlin-backed interference campaigns since his initial 2017 presidential campaign, a friction point that has intensified ahead of the upcoming French presidential elections in April 2027, where Marine Le Pen’s far-right party is positioned as a leading contender.
Broader Political Context and Regulatory Pressure
The enforcement actions follow years of scrutiny from French authorities and European lawmakers. Centrist members of the European Parliament belonging to the Renew group had spent months urging authorities to slap direct sanctions on Fedorova over her commentary. Security officials have monitored her media output since 2018, noting a continuous alignment with Moscow’s talking points regarding European energy independence and military aid to Kyiv. President Macron’s administration has repeatedly flagged foreign information manipulation as a primary threat to democratic stability, establishing a pattern of heightened administrative oversight for foreign media personalities operating within French borders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Xenia Fedorova?
Xenia Fedorova, also known as Ksénia Borchik, is the former director of Russia Today in France and a conservative media commentator who has appeared on Cnews, Europe 1, and Le Journal du dimanche.
Why is France deporting her?
According to the French Ministry of Interior, her media output systematically reproduces Kremlin propaganda concerning the war in Ukraine, which authorities judge to be a severe threat to public order and a deliberate manipulation of public opinion.
What legal challenges are underway?
Her lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, has filed appeals against both the expulsion order and the six-month asset freeze, arguing that the government measures violate freedom of expression and constitute illegal political pressure.
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