EU Energy Ministers at Emergency Meeting for Russian Gas

EU energy ministers will hold emergency meetings today, while the bloc struggles for a united response to Moscow's demand that European buyers pay for Russian gas in rubles or face disruptions of their supplies.

Russia banned gas supply for Bulgaria and Poland last week after they refused to meet its demand to effectively pay in the rubles.

These countries are already planning to stop using Russian gas this year and say they can afford the disruption, but this has raised fears that other EU countries, including Germany, may be next.

It has also threatened to strike the EU's united front against Russia amid disagreements about the right manner of action.

With many European companies facing gas payment terms later this month, EU states have an urgent need to clarify whether companies can continue to buy fuel without violating EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion in Ukraine.