Berlin - Russia, Ukraine and the EU plan to meet for talks to resolve a gas dispute between Kiev and Moscow, says European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.
He said the date would still be confirmed.
Gazprom has warned Kiev it could suspend its gas deliveries on 3 June if the former Soviet republic does not by then settle its $1.6bn bill for June.
Moscow has started demanding pre-payments for gas shipments to Ukraine under new rules introduced in response to the Ukraine crisis.
Unpaid bills
This threat has raised concern in the European Union, which imports a quarter of its gas from Russia, nearly half of which flows via Ukraine.
Because of its financial difficulties, Kiev has accumulated $3.5bn in unpaid gas debt to Russia and the EU is trying to mediate between Kiev and Moscow to resolve the conflict.
"We will do everything in the next few days to clarify the issue of unpaid bills and, through aid, allow Ukraine to pay the bills at an appropriate price," said Oettinger.
The first such three-way talks were held in Warsaw on 2 May, but failed to end the dispute.