Paris considers total Russian gas cutoff to be the most likely scenario

He said this at an economic forum in the city of Aix-en-Provence.

"Let's prepare for a total cut-off of Russian gas. Today that is the most likely option," Le Maire said. 

The minister noted that the French government is working on identifying companies that should receive priority protection in the event of gas supply interruptions.

As an example of companies that should not be deprived of gas supply even in the event of an emergency, Le Maire cited the large manufacturer of building materials Saint-Gobain.

The French government has proposed a number of measures to manage possible gas disruptions, including the possibility of requisitioning gas-fired power plants as part of a wider legislative proposal on purchasing power.

The bill will be debated in the French National Assembly next week.