The European Union is preparing to roll out a comprehensive roadmap this week aimed at severing its remaining energy ties with Russia, marking a major step toward phasing out Russian fossil fuel imports in the wake of the Ukraine conflict.

According to EU officials, the new plan will outline legal pathways for European energy companies to exit existing long-term gas contracts with Russian suppliers potentially invoking force majeure clauses to avoid penalties. The roadmap will also propose a ban on any new gas supply agreements with Moscow, further tightening the bloc’s energy independence strategy.

Despite ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, around 19% of Europe’s natural gas supply still flows from Russia. This includes deliveries via the TurkStream pipeline as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.

The move aligns with the EU’s broader, non-binding goal of ending all Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027. Officials say the plan is not just about energy security, but also about supporting Ukraine and reducing the bloc’s vulnerability to political pressure from Moscow.

If adopted, the proposal could reshape long-standing energy contracts and increase momentum for the EU’s transition to alternative sources, including renewables, North African gas, and expanded LNG imports from the U.S. and Qatar.

The European Commission is expected to present the plan to member states in the coming days. It will require broad support across the bloc, as some countries remain more dependent on Russian gas than others.