EU to consider Ukraine request for extra 2 billion euros - Commission

Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuri Prodan (L) shakes hands with European Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger before gas talks between the EU, Russia and Ukraine at the EU representation in Berlin, September 26, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine has requested an extra 2 billion euros (1.5 billion pounds) and EU authorities will consider the loan request together with the International Monetary Fund, a European Commission spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The Commission remains very committed to supporting Ukraine in line with earlier commitments," spokesman Simon O'Connor said in an emailed statement.

Ukraine's energy minister was in Brussels on Tuesday for talks with his Russian counterpart and the European Energy Commissioner to try to resolve a dispute over Kiev's unpaid gas debts to Russia.

(Reporting By Barbara Lewis and Philip Blenkinsop)