My life as a Russian exile in Paris: 'Becoming a customer of a French bank when you come from Moscow is a real feat'
- Posted on July 26, 2026
- By Le Monde
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
Elizaveta Osetinskaya, a Russian journalist who fled to Paris following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, shares her personal struggle with financial integration in France. Her account highlights the complex regulatory landscape Russian exiles face when attempting basic banking services, as French financial institutions must comply with international sanctions targeting individuals connected to the Kremlin, creating significant bureaucratic obstacles for legitimate refugees seeking stability abroad.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
My life as a Russian exile in Paris: 'Becoming a customer of a French bank when you come from Moscow is a real feat'
'A Russian in Paris' (4/6). Journalist Elizaveta Osetinskaya, who has taken refuge in France since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, recounts her difficulties opening a bank account as French banks are required to enforce financial sanctions against friends and relatives of the Kremlin.
