In a tit-for-tat move, the Russian government has imposed travel bans on two French lawmakers and two journalists, in response to France's expulsion of Xenia Fedorova, a former head of RT France, earlier this year. Maria Zakharova, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, announced the ban on Wednesday, citing alleged "harassment" against Fedorova as the reason. The blacklisted individuals include lawmakers Sacha Houlie and Arthur Delaporte, as well as journalists Paul Gogo and Ariane Chemin. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had described Fedorova as an "agent of influence" and expelled her in July. Fedorova, who previously wrote for right-wing French media, has since accused France of censorship. The move by Russia comes amidst longstanding tensions over European restrictions on state-backed Russian media and journalists, whom Brussels and many EU countries view as Kremlin mouthpieces. This latest development marks another escalation in the ongoing dispute between the two nations, with Russia having banned dozens of Western journalists and lawmakers since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In response to his ban, Sacha Houlie, one of the blacklisted French lawmakers, expressed a sense of recognition for his work against foreign interference in France. He highlighted his report for the Parliamentary Intelligence Delegation, the law aimed at preventing interference that he had passed in 2024, and his role in securing the expulsion of Russian agent Fedorova.
The expulsion of Xenia Fedorova by France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was based on accusations that she was relaying Russian propaganda with the intent to attack "the fundamental interests of the nation." These actions and counteractions between Russia and France underscore the ongoing geopolitical tensions and media disputes between the two nations.
The Kremlin's decision to ban these French individuals is part of a broader pattern of retaliation against countries that have imposed restrictions on Russian media and journalists, indicating a forward-looking approach to maintain influence and counter perceived threats to its interests.