The Macron method: How to deal with Putin's Russia?

The Macron method: How to deal with Putin's Russia?

From The Debate by FRANCE 24 English

June 2, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of Russian propaganda in French media and the response of the French government amidst rising far-right influence ahead of elections.

Here's one for free speech absolutists to chew on: What should the French government do when the former head of Russian state television's French-language channel is offered a place of rank on an all-news station with a free-to-air broadcast license and she touts Kremlin propaganda lines with little or no pushback or fact-checking? Introducing Xenia Fedorova, who's just had her 10-year residency permit approved and who's become the darling of far-right shipping magnate-turned-media mogul Vincent Bolloré, the same Bolloré who’s swooped for French TV, radio, print and publishing outlets. Read more Former RT France chief Xenia Fedorova fuels concerns over pro-Kremlin influence in French media How much of what Fedorova says is opinion and how much is disinformation? How much can one billionaire's personal views shape French public opinion ahead of a presidential poll next year where the pro-Putin, pro-Trump far right holds the early lead? Contrast that with current state policy. On Sunday, France seized another sanctioned Russian tanker with UK support. In the face of repeated Russia-linked aggressions big and small, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer have doubled down in their support…

People in this episode

Host: François Picard

Topics covered

  • media influence
  • Russian propaganda
  • French politics
  • free speech
  • Ukraine support

Keywords

  • Xenia Fedorova
  • Vincent Bolloré
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Russian media
  • far-right politics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RT France, France, UK

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