BEIJING, Jan.4 -- Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to resume negotiations at resolving a price dispute that has seen Russia's cutting off natural gas supply to Ukraine, but Russia is giving no indication it is in the mood for compromise.

    Ukrainian officials are now in Moscow for talks at the headquarters of state-owned gas giant Gazprom.

    At a press conference on Tuesday, Russian Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko appealed to European countries by asking them not to be "passive observers" of the Russian-Ukrainian gas conflict.

    "They should not be passive observers and claim that all of Europe's energy security is in Russia's hands. As of today, Europe's energy security rests on the Ukrainian territory," the minister said.

    Meanwhile, European buyers of Russian natural gas say they have started receiving full supplies after Gazprom increased shipments through the Ukraine.

    The Ukraine has not reported any cuts in gas service yet and has claimed it has enough gas in reserve to weather the crisis for weeks.

    Russia says the Ukraine is stealing gas at a rate of 95 million cubic meters a day.

    Ukraine denies it is diverting gas intended for European countries.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)