Russia offers to host gas talks

Moscow - Russia on Wednesday proposed to host three-way talks on its gas supplies to Europe in Moscow on April 28 with the European Union and Ukraine.

Russia made the offer to EU energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a spokesman for Russia's energy ministry.

"But we are ready to discuss proposals from our partners on the place and time of the meeting," the spokesperson added.

The proposal came after Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 10 sent a letter to 18 EU countries urging immediate talks and warning that Moscow could cut gas supplies to Ukraine unless Europe helps to pay its $2.2bn energy bill.

The European Union last week accepted the offer of talks, warning Moscow its reliability as an energy source was at stake.

Putin last week gave Ukraine one month to settle its gas debt, warning that after this period Moscow would demand pre-payment from Kiev for gas.

Ukraine's gas pipelines carry 65 of the 133 billion cubic metres used each year by the EU's 28 member-states, according to EU data.