In a move escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations, France has frozen the bank accounts of the Russian House cultural center in Paris, effectively blocking its operations. Russian Ambassador to France, Aleksey Meshkov, confirmed the development, stating that the decision is a serious breach of bilateral agreements between Moscow and Paris. The Russian House, which functions under Rossotrudnichestvo, a state-backed agency promoting Russian culture abroad, is now at risk of closure in France.

The French government has not yet provided a detailed justification for its action, but it is widely believed to be part of broader European measures aimed at curbing Russian influence following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Rossotrudnichestvo has been on the European Union’s sanctions list since July 2022, yet its cultural centers continue to function in several European countries. These institutions primarily engage in organizing cultural events, Russian language courses, and educational initiatives.

Ambassador Meshkov emphasized that the Russian House in Paris operates legally under a bilateral agreement that also allows for the presence of a French cultural institution in Russia.

“Attempts are being made to completely freeze the work of the Russian House due to the fact that accounts have been frozen. We are having difficult negotiations with the French on this issue, especially since the Russian House exists here legally, on the basis of a bilateral agreement, and a French cultural center operates in Russia. This is a negative development of events in recent weeks,” Meshkov said.

The freezing of the center’s accounts effectively cripples its operations, making it nearly impossible to pay staff, cover operational costs, or maintain cultural programs. Russia has vowed to engage in........

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