France Warns Russia Over Journalist Accreditation Dispute

France has strongly condemned Russia’s decision to revoke the accreditation of Benjamin Quénelle, Le Monde’s Moscow correspondent, calling it an unjustified and arbitrary “disguised expulsion.” This move has sparked a diplomatic dispute between the two countries amid already tense relations.

The French Foreign Ministry expressed deep disapproval, warning Russia that such actions could prompt a formal response. France’s reaction comes shortly after Paris refused to grant visas to journalists from the Russian pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda, accusing them of being linked to Russian intelligence services. France views this refusal as a security measure to prevent infiltration by state-affiliated agents.

Le Monde, one of France’s most respected newspapers, voiced strong concern over losing its correspondent in Moscow for the first time since 1957. The newspaper emphasized that even during the Cold War, it maintained a presence in Russia, highlighting the significance of this disruption. Quénelle’s accreditation revocation represents a serious blow to independent journalism and the ability to cover events in Russia firsthand.

The Kremlin, in turn, accused France of discriminatory practices and harassment of Russian media. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would consider reinstating Le Monde’s correspondent only if France granted a visa to a Komsomolskaya Pravda journalist who had previously been denied entry into France. Moscow frames the visa refusals as part of a broader campaign to restrict Russian media’s access and influence in Europe.

This escalating tit-for-tat reflects growing tensions over press freedom and media diplomacy between France and Russia. Both sides accuse each other of politicizing the accreditation and visa processes for journalists, limiting independent reporting. The dispute illustrates how media freedoms can become entangled with broader geopolitical conflicts and national security concerns.

As diplomatic pressure mounts, the fate of Le Monde’s Moscow correspondent remains uncertain, raising questions about the future of journalistic access in Russia and the broader impact on international news coverage.