French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has defended the government's decision to expel Xenia Fedorova, the former director of RT France, dismissing arguments that the move infringes on freedom of expression.
Speaking on BFMTV, Nuñez characterized Fedorova’s activities as the "simple and pure" relay of Russian propaganda, asserting that the expulsion order targets a serious threat to state interests rather than legitimate political discourse.
He noted that individuals holding similar opinions would continue to operate within France, provided they do not engage in activities that compromise national security.
The expulsion order, initially announced by the Interior Ministry on July 29, accuses Fedorova of undermining the fundamental interests of the French state.
Nuñez clarified that while the government is targeting specific individuals deemed to be acting as vectors for foreign disinformation, it does not intend to suppress all views aligned with Moscow.
He noted that individuals holding similar opinions would continue to operate within France, provided they do not engage in activities that compromise national security.
Fedorova, who previously led the French branch of the Kremlin-funded RT network, has become a focal point in France’s tightening stance against Russian information operations.