War in Ukraine: The Mayor puts pressure on French companies involved in Russia
The French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, August 30, 2021. REUTERS - SARAH MEYSSONNIER
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In France, Bruno Le Maire sent a signal to several companies with activities in Russia.
And in particular those operating in the energy sector.
The British majors BP and the Anglo-Dutch Shell have withdrawn from Russia.
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“
We are going to cause the collapse of the Russian economy
,” declared the French Minister of the Economy
questioned on France Info, this March 1,
on the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
“
The economic and financial balance of power is totally in favor of the European Union which is in the process of discovering its economic power
”, he added.
Bruno Le Maire will discuss in the coming days with the bosses of Engie and TotalEnergies.
But the Minister of the Economy has already clearly made his point of view known, this morning on France Info: "
I believe that there is now a problem of principle, to work with any political or economic personality, close to the Russian power.
Once again, it is European freedom which is under attack, it is a sovereign nation which is under attack and threatened by Vladimir Putin
”.
TotalEnergies renounces financing new projects in Russia
For Engie, the situation is a little different according to Bruno Le Maire, because the gas supplier has already converted its stake in Nord Stream 2 into a loan.
Eyes are turning more to TotalEnergie: "
I prefer to discuss it with the first person concerned, Patrick Pouyanné, who is perfectly aware of the gravity of the situation, he is acutely aware of the gravity of the situation and I think that we will be able to make decisions. together, in the days to come
.
In the process, TotalEnergies has given up financing new projects in Russia without withdrawing from current projects.
The major says she approves the scope of the sanctions and will apply them "
whatever the consequences
", consequences being assessed.
For its part, the British hydrocarbon giant Shell announced on Monday February 28 that it would part with its shares in several joint projects with the Russian group Gazprom in Russia, following the example of its compatriot BP which is disengaging from the Russian giant Rosneft.
► To listen also: "Londongrad": what becomes of the Russian oligarchs of the British capital?
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