While the government might have little sway, French oil firm Total SA might prove to be a more powerful voice to the resistance of harsher sanctions. Total has been investing there since Obama removed sanctions. They won a major $3 billion deal on Monday. Macron does not want problems with Iran and will side with Russia insofar as Macron and Total want what Putin wants: no extra-territorial sanctions on the likes of Rosneft, and no harsher penalties for doing business with Russians.