Heightened concerns after a gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine in January are forcing EU leaders to reexamine the bloc's approach to its energy needs.

European ministers are expected to take a new step on Tuesday toward strengthening EU energy policy amid concern over supply security and the trend toward protectionism in some member states.   

The energy ministers, meeting in Brussels, will debate a green paper released by the European Commission last week recommending that EU states speak with one voice on natural resources and diversify their supply sources.   

They will also reexamine the bloc's sketchy energy policy, whose short-comings were exposed in January when western European natural gas supplies were hit by Russia's supply conflict with the Ukraine.   

With their positions in hand, the president of the EU's executive wing Jose Manuel Barroso will travel to Moscow on Friday for talks with President Vladimir Putin on "a new energy partnership with Russia."   

Two days earlier, energy ministers from the rich G8 nations -- which include Britain, France, Germany and Italy -- will hold talks in Moscow.