France Says 21st EU Sanctions Package Did Not Target Former RT France Head Xenia Fedorova

France says the latest EU sanctions package was designed mainly around sectoral restrictions and Russia’s war effort, while discussions over possible action against the former RT France executive continue.

France did not seek to include Xenia Fedorova, the former head of RT France, in the European Union’s 21st sanctions package against Russia, arguing that the package was focused mainly on sectoral measures and individuals linked to Russia’s war effort rather than on Russian destabilization actors, according to a French Foreign Ministry briefing.

Asked about Fedorova on July 23, the French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the “essential” part of the 21st package concerned sectoral sanctions. The spokesperson added that while the package included individual sanctions, they were not based on the legal framework for Russian destabilization actors and were aimed primarily at Russia’s war effort.

The EU Council said the 21st package, adopted on July 23, targets Russian energy, financial services, crypto-assets, military-industrial networks, dual-use supply chains and parts of Russia’s transport and revenue-generating sectors. The Council also said the package includes 56 individual listings of people and companies involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Paris Says It Is “Not Naive” About Fedorova’s Role

The French Foreign Ministry did not dismiss concerns over Fedorova’s public role in France. In the same briefing, the spokesperson said France had “for a long time” denounced what it described as Fedorova’s alignment with Kremlin propaganda and said she was “actively” spreading disinformation in the media space. 

“We are not naive. We have long and consistently asserted that Ksenia Fedorova’s position aligns with Kremlin propaganda. She actively spreads it in the media space. Therefore discussions and consultations are ongoing regarding this situation”  Pascal Confavro stated.

The spokesperson said discussions over her situation were continuing but declined to provide details, citing confidentiality.

The remarks followed reporting by Le Monde that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot did not request, on behalf of France, that Fedorova be added to the list of individuals covered by the 21st EU sanctions package. Le Monde also reported that the Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry were examining other possible measures against her.

Calls for Sanctions Have Grown in France and Brussels

Fedorova has become a focus of political pressure in France and the European Parliament because of her past leadership role at RT France and her subsequent appearances in French media. According to Insight News, a June protest outside CNews and renewed calls from French MEPs for sanctions turned the former RT France chief into a test case for France’s handling of Russian state-linked narratives inside domestic media.

Protesters gathered near the Paris offices of CNews and the Lagardère group on June 3 to criticize Fedorova’s presence in Bolloré-linked media outlets. Media also cited reporting that French MEPs had renewed calls for sanctions against her.

Le Monde reported that Fedorova received a renewed 10-year residence permit in France in 2024 and that elected officials had called for measures including expulsion from EU territory or a freeze on financial assets.

Background: From RT France to French Media Appearances

Fedorova headed RT France, the French branch of the Russian state-funded broadcaster, before the outlet was affected by EU measures imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

RT France’s broadcasting was halted by French media regulator Arcom in March 2022 and that the channel announced its closure in January 2023.

Fedorova has since appeared in media belonging to Vincent Bolloré’s group, including CNews and Europe 1. Le Monde similarly reported that she became active in Bolloré-linked outlets after RT France was barred from broadcasting in the EU.

Conclusion

France’s position reflects a legal and political distinction inside EU sanctions policy. The 21st package was presented by the EU Council as a broad package targeting Russia’s economy, energy revenue, financial channels, military-industrial supply chains and war-related networks. That framework differs from the legal basis used for individuals accused of destabilization or information manipulation.

At the same time, the French Foreign Ministry’s language shows that Paris is not treating Fedorova as a neutral media figure. Officials publicly described her activity as aligned with Kremlin propaganda and said consultations are continuing. The immediate issue is therefore not whether French officials recognize the controversy, but whether they consider the 21st package the right instrument for action.

France’s decision not to include Xenia Fedorova in the 21st EU sanctions package does not appear to end the debate over her status in France. The official explanation is procedural and legal: the package focused mainly on sectoral sanctions and Russia’s war effort. But the Foreign Ministry’s own remarks confirm that Fedorova remains under political scrutiny, with possible measures still being discussed behind closed doors.