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Ukraine's western neighbors want crisis plan to ensure energy if Russia cuts off gas

Associated Press
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Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, left, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, 2nd left, Czech Republic's Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, right, and Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, 2nd right, address media during a press conference at the Globsec 2014 security forum in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, left, talk to his Poland's counterpart Donald Tusk, right, as they arrive for a press conference at the Globsec 2014 security forum in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for a press conference at the Globsec 2014 security forum in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

Central European leaders have agreed to come up with a plan to cooperate over gas supplies in case Russia cuts off deliveries through Ukraine.

The plan was announced as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that his country could stop sending gas next month because of Ukraine's high gas debts.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he and his counterparts from Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic agreed Thursday to work on a "solidarity mechanism" for gas supplies.

They didn't provide details.

Tusk, who spoke at a security conference in Slovakia, wants all EU states to jointly negotiate the price of gas bought from outside providers. He also wants the EU to spend more money on developing energy networks to enable countries to share gas in case of cutoffs or shortages.