French politician Philippe de Villiers has publicly stated that the expulsion order against Xenia Fedorova is illegal, according to a report from lejdd.fr published on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Fedorova, described by Le Monde.fr as a pro-Putin propagandist, is the subject of an expulsion decree issued by French authorities. The French government has also frozen her assets, Le Monde.fr reports.
Laurent Nuñez, a French official, defended the expulsion order in comments to BFM, saying Fedorova represents a threat to France's fundamental interests. The expulsion measure is part of a broader French response to individuals linked to Russian influence operations.
De Villiers' legal objection, as covered by lejdd.fr, challenges the basis of the government's action. The politician's claim of illegality appears to center on procedural or legal grounds, though the specific details of his argument were not included in the available material.
The case has drawn commentary from other public figures. Pascal Bruckner, writing in L'Express, suggested that Fedorova should have been removed from France seven years ago. Meanwhile, Le Nouvel Obs noted that Fedorova could continue to appear on French media from Moscow if she wishes to do so.
The expulsion order against Fedorova comes amid heightened scrutiny of Russian influence in France. The government's decision to freeze her assets alongside the expulsion decree signals a firm stance against individuals perceived as advancing Kremlin interests on French soil.
What to watch next: Whether Fedorova challenges the expulsion order in French courts, and how the legal dispute over the decree's validity unfolds in the coming weeks.
