Ukrainian climate campaign group Razom We Stand has today sent a letter to the UK Cabinet Office, co-signed by 6 organisations, calling for the immediate cancellation of public contracts with TotalEnergies, the French energy giant still heavily involved in Russian LNG imports.
The move follows revelations revealed last week that multiple central UK government departments—including No.10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office, Foreign Office, Treasury, and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ)—are being heated by gas supplied by TotalEnergies, a company that retains a 20% stake in Russia’s Yamal LNG project.
This continued reliance on a supplier with documented ties to Russian fossil fuel revenues—used to finance the ongoing invasion of Ukraine—undermines the UK’s public commitment to ending dependence on Putin’s bloody oil and gas. It sets an example that profiteering companies have been only too happy to follow. This, in turn, has undermined the entire Western sanctions regime.
Dr. Iryna Ptashnyk, Senior Research and Development Expert at Razom We Stand, said: “It is indefensible that British taxpayers’ money is helping to fund a company still profiting from Russian fossil fuels while Ukrainians are burying their loved ones due to constant Russian missile attacks. The UK government must urgently show leadership, end these contracts, and ensure that public funds are not going to companies that help funnel profits into the Kremlin’s pockets. Support from the UK is always appreciated, but doing business with Russia-friendly TotalEnegies only helps the Kremlin, not Ukraine. We need real action that cuts the financial lifelines Putin needs to wage his war of terror.”
It is indefensible that public money from UK taxpayers is still flowing to a company helping to prop up Putin’s war economy. The letter urges the UK government to immediately review and cancel this contract. Any delay sends the wrong message—to the people of Ukraine, and to the world—about the UK’s resolve to stand with those facing brutal aggression.
The letter, addressed to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, calls the arrangement “indefensible” and urges the government to:
- Immediately disclose the terms and scope of all government contracts with TotalEnergies.
- Commit to ending procurement from suppliers that maintain Russian energy ties.
- Set out a clear plan for transitioning government departments to clean, conflict-free energy sources.
Nezir Sinani, Executive Director of B4Ukraine, said: “The UK government must not allow billions of pounds to flow to a company credibly accused of complicity in Russian war crimes. By continuing to rely on Total as a supplier, the UK undermines its own efforts to cut off funding for Russia’s war machine. It’s time to send an unequivocal message: financing Russia’s aggression and collaborating with the Kremlin will not be tolerated. Taking this stand will reaffirm the UK’s leadership in upholding international law—a principle that protects the rights and security of all humanity.”
Stephen Hoffman, Deputy Director, UK Friends of Ukraine Deputy Director said: “British government buildings should not be heated with gas that comes from a company with such deep ties to Russia’s fossil fuel industry. Every day, innocent Ukrainians are murdered, maimed or forced to flee as Russia’s war machine is powered by fossil fuel profits. The UK must cut all ties with suppliers linked to this suffering and ensure public money no longer props up companies who contribute to Russia’s state budget.”
The group warns that continuing such contracts sends a dangerous signal, undermining both the UK’s moral authority and broader Western sanctions designed to curb Russia’s war financing.
ENDS
You can view the full letter here
Razom We Stand is a Ukraine-based campaign group active internationally. It calls for a total and permanent embargo on Russian fossil fuels and an immediate end to all investment in Russian oil and gas companies by phasing out fossil fuels globally.
Svitlana Romanko has appeared in the top-tier international press, including Financial Times, Bloomberg, Politico, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, The Guardian, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, Newsweek, The Hill, Rolling Stone, and more.
