Total no longer criticizes the sanctions.

Patrick Pauyanne appeared more diplomatic then Christophe de Margerie.

Yesterday the new head of Total, Patrick Pauyanne, the successor of the deceased in October Christophe de Margerie, for the first time came to Russia as the head of the French company to meet with the shareholders and top managers of the largest oil and gas companies - Novatek, Lukoil and "Rosneft". The authorities in Moscow were waiting for an explanation of the new Russian strategy of Total from him: Christophe de Margerie was considered one of the closest allies of Russia in the Western business. Patrick Pauyanne, unlike its predecessor, has not criticized the sanctions against Moscow, although he reaffirmed Total's work in Russia. According to him, the sanctions and falling oil prices will affect the business of the French company in Russia at least in the short term.