Total CEO warns against new Berlin Wall with Russia

The head of French oil major Total, Christophe de Margerie, says any deliberate reduction in imports from Russia would result in more expensive supplies from other producers which end users would not like - AFP Photo.

PARIS: Europe should stop thinking about cutting its dependence on Russian gas and focus instead on making those deliveries safer, including options to bypass Ukraine, the head of French oil major Total told Reuters.

In his strongest backing for Russia and its energy policies so far amid the conflict in Ukraine, Christophe de Margerie said Europe could see a repeat of a big gas supply crisis this winter.