European Union countries should immediately start refilling their gas stores to prepare for next winter and provide a buffer against supply shocks, EU country leaders will say at a summit next week. Goal is to fill deposits at 90% capacity every October 1.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted leaders from the EU’s 27 member countries to agree last week to phase out their reliance on Russian fossil fuels, including by ramping up liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and speeding up deployment of renewable energy, according to Euractiv.

A total phase-out will take years, however, so countries are also planning measures to mitigate potential disruptions to supply from Russia, which provides 40% of the EU’s gas, 27% of its oil imports and 46% of coal imports.

“Refilling of gas storage across the Union should start now. Member States and the Commission will urgently coordinate measures necessary to ensure adequate levels of gas storage before the next winter,” said a draft of the conclusions for an EU leaders summit on March 24-25, seen by Euractiv.

The European Commission will propose rules by next month requiring EU countries to collectively ensure gas stores are at least 90% full by Oct. 1 each year. The EU leaders’ draft statement said they would “take forward” that proposal.

EU gas stores are currently 26% full.