France accuses Berlin's Russian House of being spy cover
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France's Interior Ministry has determined that the Russian House in Berlin serves as a cover for Russian intelligence operations, according to a document obtained by Süddeutsche Zeitung and WDR. The finding came as the ministry ordered the deportation of Ksenia Fedorova, former head of RT France, who had recently applied to lead the institution. Germany has yet to take a tough stance on the Russian House, even as it allocated €70,000 for the property's 2026 taxes under a bilateral cultural agreement.
The French Allegations
A leaked French Interior Ministry document asserts that the Russian House in Berlin is used by Russian intelligence services as a front. The document names Ksenia Fedorova, former editor-in-chief of the banned RT France, as a recent applicant for the institution’s directorship. Fedorova’s assets were frozen for six months and she was ordered to leave France, with the ministry accusing her of relaying Kremlin-controlled disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing public order. The Russian House and its parent body, Rossotrudnichestvo, have been under EU sanctions since 2022.
Germany’s Cautious Stance
Berlin has avoided publicly labeling the Russian House a spy threat, reportedly fearing that Moscow could retaliate by shutting down remaining Goethe Institutes in Russia. Despite EU sanctions, the German government continues to meet obligations under a bilateral cultural agreement, allocating €70,000 for the building’s property tax in 2026. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, declined to comment on the French assessment, saying it does not publicly discuss intelligence-related matters.
What's Next
The Russian House said it had no information about Fedorova taking over as director. It remains unclear whether the French allegations will prompt Germany to reassess its engagement with the institution.
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France accuses Berlin's Russian House of being spy cover
