France expands sanctions to 9 war criminals from Russia and 4 propagandists — MFA

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the imposition of sanctions against nine Russians involved in the killing of civilians in the city of Bucha, Kyiv region, and four Russian propagandists, including Adrien Bocquet, who is of French-Russian origin.

"Following the extension on Saturday of 2,600 sanctions imposed since 2022, today we are imposing sanctions against 9 war criminals responsible for the massacre in Bucha and 4 Kremlin propagandists, including French-Russian Adrien Bocquet, who is essentially a recruiter of foreign fighters for Vladimir Putin," Barrot wrote on the social network X on Monday.

The Foreign Minister clarified that the measures against Bocquet were taken due to his active role in disseminating disinformation campaigns and attempting to justify Russian war crimes. According to investigative reports, Bocquet had previously posed as a humanitarian volunteer to fabricate narratives regarding the events in Bucha.

As previously reported, on March 13, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that pressure on the Russia must intensify and Ukraine must be provided with the necessary means to combat Russian aggression. He noted that the EU is currently preparing its 20th package of sanctions against the Russia, with much work already accomplished toward its implementation despite recent procedural delays.