France blocks appointment of new Russian consul general in Marseille
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France has refused visas to two candidates for Russian consul general in Marseille, with a third candidate’s application still pending, current consul general Stanislav Oransky told RIA Novosti. The consulate’s diplomatic staff has fallen threefold since 2022, and France has not issued a visa to a Russian diplomat meant to begin work there for three years, he added.
Visa Refusals
French authorities have rejected two Russian candidates for the post of consul general in Marseille, consular head Stanislav Oransky told RIA Novosti. A third candidate’s documents were submitted about two weeks ago, but no response has been received on the exequatur request. The repeated denials come as the consulate struggles to maintain staffing under tightening restrictions.
Consular Staffing
The diplomatic staff at Russia’s consulate in Marseille has fallen to one-third its 2022 level, Oransky said. France has not issued a visa to a Russian diplomat assigned to the consulate for three years, blocking the official from taking up the post. The consulate serves the southern French region, a key area for Russian cultural and economic ties.
What's Next
The French government has not commented on the visa denials. It remains unclear whether the latest candidate will be approved, leaving the consulate understaffed as it faces growing administrative burdens.
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France blocks appointment of new Russian consul general in Marseille
