Putin Spokesman: EU Not Helping Gas Talks

The EU says it is trying to facilitate a solution to the dispute, which has hit consumers in eastern Europe.

The European Union's position on talks to resolve the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine is "not contributing to finding a solution", Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's spokesman said on Saturday.

"They (the European Union) are putting Moscow and Kiev on the same ground ... This is simply unfair and is not contributing to finding a solution," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The EU says it is trying to facilitate a solution to the dispute, which has hit consumers in eastern Europe.

In Brussels, European Commission energy spokesman Ferran Tarradellas Espuny responded to Peskov's comments by saying the EU's position was constructive and gas supplies to Europe should be restarted immediately.

"We were here to help the parties but not to mediate, because the agreement should be reached overall by Russia and Ukraine. They are the root of the problem and should be the ones that find a solution ... We are victims of the situation," he told Reuters.

"The Commission was encouraged by the discussion. Both parties addressed the main issues ... but there is no agreement at this point in time. Discussions continue."