EU Bans Russian Commentator Xenia Fedorova, France Expels Her for Speaking Too Loudly About Propaganda

In a move that would make a bureaucratic circus blush, the European Union has added Xenia Fedorova, the former RT France chief, to its sanctions roster. France, which had already sent her packing back in August, now hands her a legal pad of its own, with an expulsion order and an asset freeze.

The EU’s sanctions list looks a bit like a high‑tech version of a ‘no‑entry’ stamp, except it also includes a small, discreet notice that you’re not allowed to buy anything from the Kremlin’s favourite gossip column.

Fedorova’s case is the latest chapter in a saga that started when she allegedly tried to turn French radio into a propaganda playground. The French authorities say she was “spreading pro‑Russian narratives”, while the EU, in its infinite wisdom, decided to add a few more red‑flagged words to her dossier.

She has already filed a legal challenge, arguing that the sanctions are a case of “over‑zealous censorship” and that she should be allowed to speak freely about the weather in Moscow. The courts are still reviewing whether a weather report about a snowstorm counts as propaganda.

Meanwhile, Brussels officials have issued a statement that the sanctions are a “necessary step to safeguard the integrity of EU media”. A spokesperson added that the EU will “continue to monitor any attempts to use language to bend minds” – a line that reads oddly similar to a traffic sign: “Please keep your eyes on the road”.

French officials, on the other hand, have offered Fedorova a very polite “thank you” and a complimentary ticket to the next diplomatic dinner, where she can enjoy a meal without any risk of being accused of broadcasting disinformation.

The sanctions also freeze Fedorova’s assets – which, in a twist of fate, were apparently located in a bank that also hosts a large collection of vintage Russian samovars. One wonders if those samovars will now be subject to the same restrictions.

In a rare moment of cross‑border camaraderie, the EU and France have agreed to host a joint press conference, where a representative from each side will explain how they can’t agree on the exact definition of “propaganda” without a side of croissants.

The story is still unfolding, and if the EU is any good, it will soon produce a detailed report that includes a timeline of Fedorova’s statements and a map of where the propaganda supposedly traveled.

For now, the only certainty is that Xenia Fedorova will be missing from the next EU‑sponsored podcast on media freedom – unless she can find a way to record herself in a country that still allows her to say what she wants.

Stay tuned for further updates, and remember: in the world of EU sanctions, even the most sophisticated political gaffes can become a punchline in a Brussels‑style comedy of errors.