TotalEnergies, a French oil major, has been asked by Ukrainian officials to reject a $440 million euro dividend of “blood money” from one of its Russian holdings or to spend the money on Ukrainian reconstruction. Patrick Pouyanne, the CEO of TotalEnergies, Oleg Ustenko, and Mykhailo Podolyak warned that the French firm is set to earn 440 million euros from Novatek.

"This is blood money, profits made since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine ... As you well know, these figures are inflated in large part because of profiteering at the expense of the Ukrainian people.

We will not plead with you, but will instead make every effort to redirect this blood money to the reconstruction of our country.”

The letter said.