https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/?xtor=RSS-1 en https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L144xH72/visuel_defaut_une_fd-44916-890bc.jpg?1702480412 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr?xtor=RSS-1 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-france-renews-its-support-for-memorial-france-and-hails-its-commitment?xtor=RSS-1 France renews its full support for the NGO Mémorial France and hails its commitment to an accurate, restorative vision of history and remembrance on the occasion of the December 15th conference, “Imperial violence: Reconsidering Soviet history through the prism of current events” (“Violences impériales. Repenser l'histoire soviétique au prisme de l'actualité”). Minister Catherine Colonna will be participating remotely in this conference, which has the support of the Institut Français and the Ministry (…) 2023-12-15 18:11:29 66080_276873 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-situation-of-alexei-navalny-15-dec-2023?xtor=RSS-1 The fact that we have had no news for the past several days about the situation of imprisoned political opposition leader Alexei Navalny is very troubling, given that his health has sharply deteriorated since his imprisonment. France holds Russia responsible for the health of its detainees, especially political prisoners, and reminds Russia of is international obligations with regard to human rights. We call on Russia to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and (…) 2023-12-15 18:09:30 66080_276872 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-france-condemns-the-russian-supreme-court-s-addition-of-the?xtor=RSS-1 France strongly condemns the Russian Supreme Court's addition of the "international LGBT movement" to its list of extremist organizations. This exposes members of associations that defend the rights of LGBT+ people to criminal prosecution and significant prison sentences. This decision is the latest serious, unacceptable violation of human rights in Russia. It deprives LGBT+ people of the few ways they still have to protect their rights, following the recent toughening of laws against them. (…) 2023-12-01 17:59:15 66080_276620 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-pardon-for-an-accomplice-to-the-murder-of-anna-politkovskaya-16-nov-2023?xtor=RSS-1 France was shocked to learn of the pardon granted in Russia to Sergei Khadjikurbanov, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the murder of Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006. France deplores this cynical decision, which comes nearly a month after the sad anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya's murder. On that occasion, France paid tribute to the memory of this remarkable woman. The first ever Politkovskaya-Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism, established in (…) 2023-11-17 07:58:56 66080_276379 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-q-a-10-11-23?xtor=RSS-1 On the subject of the Russian RRN/Doppelgänger network, which VIGINUM [a French government agency tasked with vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference] identified as having “amplified” the spread of Star of David graffiti: have there been any new developments since yesterday's communiqué? What does the Foreign Ministry know about ties between RRN and the Kremlin? RRN had also created fake media sites after the war broke out in Ukraine. Has VIGINUM detected any other (…) 2023-11-10 17:55:30 66080_276305 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-new-russian-digital-interference-against-france-09-11-23?xtor=RSS-1 France strongly condemns the involvement of the Russian network Recent Reliable News (RRN/Doppelgänger) in the artificial spreading and initial distribution on social media of photos of graffiti representing Stars of David in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. Regarding the events themselves, the judicial investigation under way will have to establish the possible responsibility of a foreign backer. Regarding their spread, on 6 November 2023 VIGINUM, the State's technical and operational (…) 2023-11-09 18:49:39 66080_276281 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-q-a-from-the-press-briefing-7-nov-2023?xtor=RSS-1 Q: Russia's decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) takes effect today. What consequences does France envision as a result? A: France has condemned this decision since June. It undermines a treaty signed in 1990 with the aim of strengthening trust and reducing the risk of conflict on the European continent. With Russia's withdrawal from the treaty, coming as it wages an illegal, unjustified war against Ukraine, it is once again choosing to disengage (…) 2023-11-07 16:54:36 66080_276259 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-france-condemns-the-arrest-of-russian-american-journalist-alsu?xtor=RSS-1 France deplores the arrest of Russian-American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. This arrest follows that of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, whose detention was extended in August. France is very concerned by the Russian authorities' crackdown on critics of the government and its war of aggression against Ukraine. It condemns restrictions on the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which have multiplied in recent months. France calls on the Russian (…) 2023-10-20 09:14:54 66080_276028 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-sentencing-of-russian-journalist-marina-ovsyannikova-to-8-1-2-years-in?xtor=RSS-1 France vigorously denounces the sentencing in absentia of Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova to eight and a half years in prison. Ms. Ovsyannikova had courageously denounced the war of aggression against Ukraine during a Russian television broadcast in March 2022. France is deeply concerned by the Russian authorities' stepped-up crackdown against critics of government authorities and their war of aggression against Ukraine. As Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna (…) 2023-10-04 16:27:45 66080_275519 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/russia/news/2023/article/russia-q-a-11-sept-2023?xtor=RSS-1 Q - Yesterday, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman asked France to apologize for refusing to allow Russian journalists to attend President Macron's press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India. The president's press team staff said, in particular, that Russian media outlet representatives could not attend the press conference. What is France's reaction to this incident, which the spokeswoman qualified as “discriminatory and racist”? A - We have no comment on the (…) 2023-09-13 18:32:56 66080_275097