A sharp escalation of Russia's gas dispute with Ukraine cut supplies yesterday to the Balkans, Turkey and southeast Europe, and the EU urged Moscow and Kiev to find a solution by the end of the week.

Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia, Greece and Croatia said flows of Russian gas via Ukraine had come to a halt, creating what Bulgaria called a "crisis situation" in the middle of winter.

EU member states Austria and Romania said deliveries were down 90 percent and 75 percent respectively. German utility E.ON Ruhrgas said it expected supplies to Germany from Ukraine, via the Czech Waidhaus border point, to stop entirely later yesterday.