Two French lawmakers and two journalists were barred from Russia on Nov. 11 under a measure Moscow described as retaliation for France’s July order for Xenia Fedorova to leave.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova named lawmakers Sacha Houlié and Arthur Delaporte and journalists Ariane Chemin and Paul Gogo. She accused the four of taking part in harassment of Fedorova and urging her expulsion. Accounts of her remarks did not explain which conduct Moscow characterized as harassment.
France ordered Fedorova to leave in July. In a separate action, the European Union (EU) Council listed her on Sept. 24 under measures addressing what it called Russia’s destabilizing activities. The Council cited her contributions to CNews, Europe 1 and Le JDNews, and said she disseminated narratives concerning Ukraine, Russia, Europe and NATO.
In a post on X, Houlié said he regarded the ban as recognition of his work against foreign interference in France.
