Sweden downplays EU gas payment loans to Ukraine

WASHINGTON Nov 4 (Reuters) - The European Union is not responsible for loaning money to Ukraine to help the country pay for Russian natural gas supplies this winter, Sweden's Enterprise and Energy Minister said on Wednesday.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called on the European Union to help with Ukraine's gas problems by providing financial assistance.

"That's not our role," Sweden's Maud Olofsson told Reuters TV in Washington. "The role for the European Union is to secure the energy supply for Europe," she said.

Olofsson, whose country currently holds the rotating 6-month EU presidency, said Putin's warnings that Russian gas supplies to Ukraine may be disrupted if Kiev does not make its energy payments should be taken seriously.

"But on the other hand, this is a matter of discussion between Ukraine and Russia," she said.

Olofsson said the European Union is focused on developing its own energy sources "so we are more secure by ourselves."

The European Union depends on Russia for its winter natural gas supplies, a big chunk of which is transported by pipeline through Ukraine.

Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Western Europe via Ukraine in January 2006 and again in January 2008 because of a dispute with Ukraine over gas prices and payments. (Reporting by Tom Doggett; Editing by Christian Wiessner)