Russia bans two French lawmakers and two journalists from entry

Russia has announced a ban on two French lawmakers and two journalists in retaliation for France's earlier expulsion of pro-Kremlin commentator Xenia Fedorova. The Russian Foreign Ministry cited alleged harassment of Fedorova as the reason for the ban. Lawmakers Sacha Houlié and Arthur Delaporte, along with journalists Paul Gogo and Ariane Chemin, are affected by this decision. Fedorova, who was expelled for promoting Russian propaganda, criticized the move as censorship. This action is part of Russia's broader response to European restrictions on its media and has seen numerous Western journalists and officials banned since the Ukraine invasion began.