The EU is set to unveil a road map in Strasbourg to phase out the bloc's remaining gas ties with Moscow.
The plan, confirmed by a commission spokesperson, is part of the EU's goal to end Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, according to a report by Reuters.
The announcement by EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen comes as the US encourages a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, which could potentially ease sanctions and reopen Russian energy trade.
Approximately 19% of Europe's gas supply is still sourced from Russia, primarily through the TurkStream pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
The EU's non-binding target is to cease these imports by 2027, with the forthcoming road map aiming to facilitate this objective.
The commission is considering legal avenues to enable European companies to claim force majeure, allowing them to terminate Russian gas contracts without penalties. Additionally, measures to prevent new contracts for Russian gas are being explored.
Despite these efforts, experts, including independent energy lawyer Agnieszka Ason, doubt the effectiveness of force majeure claims, given the ongoing supply from Russia despite the three-year conflict in Ukraine, the report said.
Legal specialists suggest that sanctioning Russian gas imports would be the most decisive action to eliminate Russian gas dependency. However, previous efforts to impose sanctions were shelved due to opposition from some member governments.
Unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states is required, and countries like Slovakia and Hungary have shown reluctance, with Hungary explicitly opposing energy sanctions.
Furthermore, legal disputes between Gazprom and European companies have increased since the war in Ukraine began, with court documents indicating claims worth approximately €18.5bn ($21bn).
Gazprom's contracts enforce "take-or-pay" clauses, compelling buyers to pay for a significant portion of the gas, even if it is not delivered.
Fieldfisher partner David Haverbeke recommends that the EU should assist companies in arguing for contract renegotiation based on the changed circumstances and regulatory environment since 2022.
Another proposed solution is to mandate future Russian LNG purchases through an EU joint buying scheme, potentially with a maximum quota on volumes, Haverbeke added.
