The issue of Russian gas shipments to Europe is being discussed at talks between Russia and the United States, state news agency TASS quoted a Kremlin official as saying on Friday, confirming an exclusive report by Reuters a day earlier.

Russia's friends in Eastern Europe say EU plans to end all Russian gas and energy imports are tantamount to "economic suicide" and a threat to energy security.

The European Commission wants to halt EU imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027. It wants to deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of revenue fueling his war on Ukraine.