French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Sunday said that France has not ruled out banning Russian oil and gas imports during an interview with LCI television. 

"Should we in the immediate stop buying Russian oil, should we a little bit further down the line stop importing Russian gas? The president has never ruled out these options," he said.

He also hoped the current energy price shock to inflation rates would last a matter of months, adding that he did not see a years-long inflationary spiral in European Union economies.

"I cannot give a precise date, it may be during 2023," Le Maire, adding that energy prices would fall back to more reasonable levels once Europe cut back on its gas and oil imports from Russia.

"I don't think we have entered an inflationary spiral."

(With input from agencies)