Xenia Fedorova, the pro-Russian "propagandist" who worries Macron: "I am not a spy"

ParisBrussels banned the Russian news agency Sputnik and the television station Russia Today, considered instruments of Kremlin disinformation, throughout European territory shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine more than four years ago. But in France, Russian propaganda did not die with that decision by the European Commission. Added to the entire disinformation apparatus operating through social networks is the strange phenomenon of Xenia Fedorova, the journalist who directed Russia Today in France until it had to close.

After a period out of the spotlight, Fedorova reappeared last year with the publication of a book – in which she claimed to be a victim of censorship – and reinvented herself as an analyst for various French media outlets within the media empire of Vincent Bolloré, a conservative magnate close to the far right. The Russian journalist collaborates with the CNews channel, Canal+ and Europe 1 radio as an analyst, where she promotes the same messages and arguments as President Vladimir Putin. She also writes opinion columns for Le Journal du Dimanche. These are all media outlets controlled by Bolloré, known for being unpluralistic, defending very conservative ideas, and often spreading fake news.

"It is the West that has decided to prolong this conflict," Fedorova stated on Europe 1 microphones in reference to the war in Ukraine. On another occasion, speaking about Macron's plan to deploy an international force on the ground to ensure compliance with the ceasefire when Moscow and Kyiv sign peace, the Russian journalist calmly asserted that it is actually a plan by Europe "to prepare for the second part of the war," implying that European countries plan to attack her country. "For Russia, this is not a lasting peace," she stated.

None of the other journalists present on the broadcast refuted her words. In fact, according to Le Monde, at least two journalists have been removed from Bolloré's media outlets for contradicting Fedorova. The newspaper assures that the 45-year-old Russian journalist holds significant sway within the media group, and no employee dares to criticize her.

Patented propagandist

The Fedorova case once again brings to the table the limits of freedom of expression and the phenomenon of disinformation and In 2017, Macron had already spoken of her in these terms in a joint press conference with Putin. Now Fedorova's name has returned to the spotlight not only because she is a star commentator but also because Le Monde has revealed that she participated in a lunch organized by Vincent Bolloré, which also included a government minister, the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, and an advisor to Jordan Bardella, the far-right's future candidate in the presidential elections if justice confirms Marine Le Pen's disqualification. The event aimed to open a reflection for the presidential elections to be held in the spring of 2027.

The president of Canal+, Maxime Saada, has not explained the reasons that lead his channels to give a voice to the Russian journalist and has defended her tooth and nail. "It is called freedom of expression. For us, it is interesting to have different points of view on current events and points of view that are often not heard on other channels," he recently stated.

Limits of freedom of expression

The Fedorova case once again brings to the fore the limits of freedom of expression and the phenomenon of disinformation and fake news. "Fedorova is promoted and protected by people who strongly, but misleadingly, invoke freedom of expression, overlooking that press freedom demands independence and honesty", points out the Director-General of Reporters Without Borders, Thibaut Bruttin, in an interview with Le Monde. "Xenia Fedorova is not a martyr of a violated freedom; she is a loudspeaker for the Kremlin's propaganda, even if it means broadcasting false claims on air", he insists.

The journalist denies being a Kremlin propagandist or a spy: "Not all Russians are spies", she recently stated. Be that as it may, the president and the government are concerned about her presence in France and the fact that Bolloré has hosted her and given her a voice through his media outlets without room to rebut her arguments. For the Élysée, giving Xenia Fedorova media space means disseminating propaganda and fake news promoted by Putin. The concern is maximum, especially with a view to the presidential elections.