Kiev - A team of European Union observers arrived in Ukraine on Friday to monitor gas shipments from Russia though the former Soviet republic to EU nations, Korrespondent magazine reported.

The team of technicians landing at Kiev's Boryspil airport was set to act as independent monitors at the six main natural-gas pipeline crossing points from Russia to Ukraine, and at the headquarters of Ukrainian natural-gas monopolist Naftogaz Ukraine.

A second observer group would operate on the Russian side of the border, departing for Moscow on Saturday, according to the report.

EU officials in Brussels said that the main body of the mission would consist of 18 experts from the gas industry in Europe, together with four members of the European Commission, the EU's executive.

Recriminations between Russia and Ukraine about actual volumes of Russian gas shipments to Europe via Ukraine, and Ukraine's removal of part of the product, have left Moscow and Kiev at a stand-off, and gas supplies from Russia to Europe almost completely halted.

Russia provides roughly one quarter of the EU's natural gas needs, and 80 per cent of that gas flowed to the EU through Ukrainian pipelines until Russia imposed a complete embargo on Wednesday.

The shut-off has left EU members such as Bulgaria and neighbours such as Serbia critically short of gas in one of the coldest winters in recent decades.

The European observers are to have access to all gas transport and storage sites within Ukraine - a right Kiev earlier this week denied to representatives of Russian natural-gas monopolist Gazprom.

Russian and Ukrainian officials on Friday said they supported the EU observer plan, but both noted Kiev and Moscow still have not agreed on gas pricing and terms between the two countries - the issue leading to the cut-off.

Gas supplies to Europe can be restored some 36 hours after Russia turns the taps back on, Ukrainian officials said Friday. Gazprom would require some 13 hours to return full pressure to the lines, once an agreement is reached, according to the report. (dpa)