EU sanctions Russian pundit Xenia Fedorova after her expulsion from France

The European Union on Thursday sanctioned Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, the 45-year-old former head of RT France, for disseminating "pro-Russian narratives" amid Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a notice published in the EU's Official Journal. She was formally expelled from France in August after losing an appeal against a court order to leave for spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda. RT, Russia's state broadcaster, has been banned in France since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France and the EU would continue to thwart Russia's "destabilising activities" and that hostile acts against democracy would face consequences.