Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was scheduled to hold talks Wednesday with leaders from Bulgaria and Slovakia, two countries among those affected most by Moscow's gas dispute with Ukraine.

Russian media said Putin was to meet the leaders of both countries in Moscow.

Gazprom, the Russian gas monopolist, accuses Ukraine of blocking gas transit, while Kiev says Russia has to increase gas pressure to guarantee that its deliveries reach their destinations in the European Union.

On Tuesday, reopening gas transit via Ukraine, the most important rout for gas deliveries to the West, failed, as millions of people in south-eastern Europe feel the effects in the mid of winter.

Gazprom demands that Kiev enable full transit after a week-long freeze of all deliveries.

Moscow claims Tuesday's transit failed because Ukraine diverted considerable amounts of the gas which remained in the pipelines causing pressure being too low for transport, a charge Ukraine denies.

International monitors are to ensure flawless transit in the future.

It remained unknown when both sides would start another attempt at gas deliveries, as Moscow and Kiev are still at loggerheads over payment conditions for the gas transit though Ukraine.

Putin, meanwhile, expressed doubt that Ukraine's pipelines were still up to the necessary technical standards, saying Russia would be interested in taking over the network. (dpa)