Overview

• Russian authorities have revoked the press accreditation of Benjamin Quénelle, Le Monde's long-time Moscow correspondent, effectively expelling him from the country.
• This marks the first time in nearly 70 years that Le Monde has been barred from maintaining a correspondent in Russia, disrupting its direct coverage of the nation.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry stated the decision was a retaliatory measure after France denied visas to journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda, whom France alleged were linked to Russian intelligence services.
• Le Monde has condemned the move as an attack on press freedom, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the ban even compared to Cold War-era tensions.
• Russian officials indicated Quénelle's accreditation could be reinstated if France reverses its stance on issuing visas to Russian journalists.