Macron Denounces Xenia Fedorova's Role in Russian State Propaganda

French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticized Xenia Fedorova, the former director of the French-language channel Russia Today, for serving Russian state propaganda. On June 4, 2026, Macron reiterated his long-standing concerns about the influence of Russian media figures within France since 2017. He described Fedorova as heading a "state propaganda agency," fueling controversy over foreign interference in French media. Macron's comments come amid mounting tensions in Europe over Russian propaganda efforts, with centrist Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) calling for sanctions against Fedorova, labeling her a "notorious Russian propagandist." This call for sanctions reflects broader European unease regarding Russia’s information campaigns and their impact on national discourse. Macron's reaffirmation aims to highlight the threat posed by such foreign media actors to the integrity of public information in France and across Europe.