KIEV - The European Union (EU) is considering an assistance package to Ukraine in a bid to counteract Russian influence on the country's energy system, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Minister Yuri Prodan said here Friday.

"The aid package provides for financial assistance, increased reverse gas supplies and European gas network operators' solidarity with Ukraine," Prodan told the parliament after his visit to Brussels.

The preliminary agreement with the 28-member block envisages prospects for Ukraine to start reverse flows from France via Slovakia and Romania, Prodan said.

He added that Kiev was also planning to increase gas imports from Germany.

The EU is also ready to dismiss a possibility to increase gas flows via Russia's Yamal-Europe and North Stream pipelines, if Moscow halts gas exports to Ukraine, Prodan said.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned European leaders that Moscow may cut gas supplies to Ukraine over Kiev's huge debt.

In early April, Russian gas giant Gazprom canceled discounts on gas supplies to Ukraine and set a price of 485 U.S. dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, which Kiev sees as too high. (Xinhua)