EU energy chief says wants new Ukraine-Russia gas talks

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and European Council President Donald Tusk address a joint news conference in Brussels February 6, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

RIGA (Reuters) - EU energy boss Maros Sefcovic said on Friday the European Union was looking to persuade Moscow to open new gas price negotiations with Ukraine, a step that Russia's energy minister said he was ready to take only if certain conditions were met.

A "winter package" between Kiev and Moscow brokered by the European Commission runs until the end of March.