European leaders are to seek ways of reducing their dependence on Russian gas at two days of talks in Brussels.

Moscow’s incursion into Ukraine has raised concerns that the supply of energy could be used as a weapon in the East-West crisis.

Member states are also expected to pledge to provide Ukraine with gas if needed.

Ukraine, which has been cut off once before by Moscow for non-payment of bills, could benefit from a reverse -flow pipeline deal to ship gas from Slovakia.

The talks are also expected to cover alternatives to imported gas including a debate on European “indigenous supplies”, which include renewable energy and shale gas.

However Germany which has close energy ties with Russia is likely to stress that Gazprom has been a reliable supplier for decades.