The conditions under which Durov was granted French citizenship, however, are unclear. Obtaining citizenship for foreign-born individuals usually requires having lived in France, which was not the case for Durov, according to a Le Monde report released last year.

According to Le Monde’s report, Durov became a French citizen through a special procedure under which "a French-speaking foreigner who contributes through his or her outstanding work to the influence of France and the prosperity of its international economic relations" can be awarded citizenship at the government’s initiative.

What led Durov to obtain this status was not made public, and his French linguistic skills are unknown.

A spokesperson for the French presidency told POLITICO that the call to grant Durov citizenship had been made by the foreign affairs ministry. The foreign affairs ministry said it "does not communicate on individual citizenship procedures."