Former RT France Head Joins Conservative French TV Amid RT Ban in Europe

The recent ban on Russia Today's broadcasting across Europe has not ended the media career of Ksenia Fedorova, former head of RT France. Despite the prohibition, Fedorova has secured a position in French media, highlighting complex intersections between geopolitics, media influence, and European policy enforcement.

From RT France to CNews: Continuity Amid Regulatory Shifts

Following the European Union’s decision to ban the Russian state-backed channel Russia Today (RT) in response to the conflict in Ukraine, many RT employees faced the prospect of unemployment or relocation. However, Ksenia Fedorova, who led RT France before the ban, remains active in the French media landscape.

Thanks to her residency status in France, Fedorova has transitioned to working for CNews, a right-leaning French television channel. On CNews, she hosts Lumières orthodoxes ("Orthodox Lights"), a program dedicated to exploring Orthodox Christian churches across Europe. Additionally, she provides commentary on international affairs on the radio show L'Heure Inter on Europe 1.

This career move underscores how former RT personnel are navigating restrictions on Russian state media by leveraging ideological and political affinities within European media ecosystems.

"Fedorova continues to advocate a pro-Kremlin viewpoint, attributing the Ukraine war to NATO’s eastward expansion and criticizing Western involvement in diplomatic failures," the analysis notes.

In May 2023, Fedorova publicly framed the conflict in Ukraine as a consequence of NATO's enlargement, mirroring Kremlin narratives. She also faulted Western countries for prolonging hostilities and undermining peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in 2022.

Implications for European Media and Political Landscapes

Fedorova’s integration into CNews has reportedly been facilitated by her perceived closeness to Vincent Bolloré, the channel’s owner. Bolloré is known for his longstanding support of Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party.

This connection raises critical questions about the permeability of European media outlets to influence from former Russian state media figures and the broader political economy of right-wing media in France. Analysts note that the migration of pro-Kremlin commentators into established conservative platforms may subtly shift narratives around Russia, NATO, and the ongoing war in Ukraine within European public discourse.

For senior decision-makers and policymakers, this development underscores the challenges of media governance in democratic societies during geopolitical crises. It highlights the need to balance freedom of expression with vigilance against propaganda and disinformation—especially as cross-border personnel moves blur the lines between state-sponsored narratives and domestic political agendas.

Looking ahead, the case of Ksenia Fedorova exemplifies the evolving dynamics of information warfare and media influence in the context of European security and ideological competition. Policymakers must consider these trends when designing strategies to safeguard the integrity of public information channels and counter hostile foreign influence.