Vice-President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin discussed in Brussels on Monday the upcoming trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine.

"We focused on trilateral gas talks with Russia and Ukraine. As time is of the essence, I'm looking forward to starting this process on July 17. Stay tuned!" Sefcovic wrote on his Twitter page following talks with Klimkin in Brussels.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also reported on Twitter about this meeting between Klimkin and Sefcovic.

"The minister expressed his gratitude for the new EUR 1 billio macro-financial assistance package and for the EU's unwavering support as Ukraine enjoys the benefits of a significant trade rise with the EU," the ministry said.

Earlier, Sefcovic confirmed that trilateral gas talks would be held on July 17.

"Constructive and stable co-operation between Russia and Ukraine in the field of energy is of utmost importance for both countries and the European Union. The need for a continued, long-term transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to the EU in a reliable, commercially viable way is an indispensable part of it," Sevcovic's statement, posted on the website of the European Commission on Thursday, reads.

Sefcovic noted that Ukrainian and Russian partners would be represented at the talks both from relevant governments and from commercial organizations.

"Our aim is to agree on our long-term agenda as well as our working method," Sevcovic said.

He stressed the importance of the time factor for these negotiations.

"The negotiations that lie ahead of us are complex and difficult and therefore, require full attention and constructive engagement. As proven in the past, a trilateral process is the most effective platform to seek a satisfactory solution to the gas matters important for involved parties and to gas transit via Ukraine beyond 2019," he said.