"Russia uses gas as weapon": French Energy Minister comments on Gazprom's reduction of supplies

Pannier-Runache said this on France Inter radio, Reuters reports.

The minister made the statement after it became known that the French company Engie will receive less gas from the Russian company Gazprom. The reduction in supply is due to an unresolved contract dispute.

"It is clear that Russia is using gas as a weapon of war and we must be prepared for the worst-case scenario of a complete cessation of supplies," said Agnes Panier-Runache.

In a comment to Reuters, the minister's assistant said that Gazprom is not complying with the terms of the contracts, and added that France has diversified its energy supply, so the latest cuts will not affect gas supplies in the winter.

Russia now accounts for less than 4% of Engie's gas imports compared to 17% before the war in Ukraine. 

An Engie representative told the publication that Russia accounts for less than 4% of the company's gas imports compared to 17% before the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Government spokesman Olivier Veran said that France's gas storages are 90% full and will be completely filled by the end of the summer.

"We are ahead of schedule," Veran said on France Inter radio.