Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed Thursday providing Ukraine with gas necessary to maintain pipeline pressure, news agency Prime-Tass reports, citing the president's press service.
Medvedev was speaking during a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko.
He said such gas could be provided on behalf of "an international conference of European countries."
It wasn't clear if the gas would be provided only by Russia or also by other countries. Russia is scheduled to hold a summit of European countries on the gas row on Saturday.
Apart from gas supplied to consumers, Ukrainian pipelines are filled with gas that isn't used for commercial supplies and serves to maintain pressure and keep the pipeline system working.
Russian gas monopoly OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) has argued that Ukraine should pay for this gas, while Ukraine maintains it was Gazprom's responsibility.
Medvedev also proposed concluding gas swap deals with Ukraine for gas supplies to Europe.
Gazprom stopped supplying gas to Ukrainian consumers on Jan. 1 due to a dispute over prices and Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz debt for gas supplies.
Last week, Gazprom also halted gas transit through Ukraine to Europe after accusing Naftogaz of stealing gas.