EU energy chief hails Russia, Ukraine gas deal

BRUSSELS, Feb 12 (Reuters) - The European Union's energy chief said he believed Tuesday's resolution of a gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine would be the basis for a stable and solid energy relationship between the two countries.

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said in a statement he expected the deal would "facilitate the smooth resolution of similar commercial differences in the future".

Russian and Ukrainian leaders settled a row over gas debts at last-ditch talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday, minutes before a Moscow-imposed deadline on Ukraine to pay up or face supply cuts. (Reporting by Darren Ennis; editing by David Brunnstrom)