Russia, Ukraine and the EU are to get their feet under the table for talks on 26 September, according to Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Gas debts which Russia claims its smaller neighbour has stacked up are to be covered at the meeting.

Mr Novak told reporters: “Our position remains the same: the November-December debt-servicing, partial debt-servicing for May and April, in total approximately two billion dollars,” reported Russian state news agency Ria Novosti today.

The two neighbours are still at odds over the price Russia wants to charge for gas. It put Ukraine onto a “prepayment” set up for gas over the summer.

Earlier this month Kiev offered a price of $300 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas during summer and $380 per 1,000 over winter. Moscow is holding out for $385 per 1,000 cubic meters according to reports.