KEY POINTS:
European Union energy ministers were to hold an emergency meeting on the Russia-Ukraine gas crisis today, seeking short-term help for the worst-hit countries and long-term strategies to avoid a repetition of the crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without heating after Russia began cutting off supplies to Europe through Ukraine a week ago.
Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy have come to the aid of some of the worst hit countries, such as Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Balkan nations.
An EU-brokered accord on terms for Russia to resume its gas supply to Europe was thrown into doubt, with Moscow accusing Ukraine of altering the deal.
