MOSCOW (AP) -- The heads of the Russian and Ukrainian gas companies have held an unexpected meeting in Moscow to discuss the dispute that has caused an energy crisis in Europe.

Both companies confirmed they met early Thursday but released no details. It was the first face-to-face meeting between Gazprom's Alexei Miller and Naftogaz's Oleh Dubina since talks over prices broke down New Year's Eve.

The meeting was unexpected because both men are due in Brussels Thursday to meet with EU officials.

Sargon tells us this meeting was in the middle of the night.