France upholds expulsion of Russian host Xenia Fedorova

French authorities have ordered the expulsion of Russian television host Xenia Fedorova, a decision upheld by the Paris Administrative Court on August 14, 2026. The French Ministry of the Interior accused Fedorova of acting as a relay for Russian disinformation campaigns intended to destabilize public order and undermine the fundamental interests of the nation.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot characterized Fedorova as a “professional in subversion” trained in Russia, linking her case to broader patterns of Kremlin-directed interference and sabotage across Europe. The government’s move is seen as a firm stance against foreign influence ahead of upcoming elections.

In response, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced the expulsion as “political persecution” and an act of censorship, maintaining that Fedorova has not participated in any influence operations. Within France, the decision has drawn criticism from political figures such as former minister Philippe de Villiers, who described the government’s actions as a shift toward authoritarianism and state suspicion.