Amid the mass exodus of multinational companies from the Russian market, France’s authorities call on their entrepreneurs not to make rash decisions. The French government does not mean to break off commercial relations with Russia forever. The Kremlin’s military hostilities in Ukraine immediately entailed repercussions throughout the global economy. Advanced economies teamed up in the face of the aggression, imposing a slew of severe economic sanctions on Russia. President of France Emmanuel Macron warned about serious fallout and damage that his country would suffer due to the Russia – Ukraine crisis. He underscored the importance of well-rounded decisions at the meeting with CEOs of domestic large businesses closely connected with Russia. The President met with 15 top managers of the banking, energy, and agricultural sectors. Among the French companies with a wide network of retail stores, huge investments, production facilities, and active commerce are Safran, Auchan, Societe Generale, etc. The closed-door meeting was also attended by high-ranking officials from related ministries.

At the same time, Bruno Le Maire, minister for the economy and finances, unveiled the official rhetoric of Paris. "We are going to wage a total economic and financial war on Russia,” he announced. He stated that France would exercise severe sanctions until the Kremlin releases its aggression and revises its policy on Kyiv.