MOSCOW, Aug. 27 - Talks on a joint venture between Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz are at an "advanced stage," Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, said in a statement.

Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko focused on the joint venture at a meeting in Moscow on August 27.

The two "discussed assets that the companies might contribute to a joint venture, and said talks on the creation of a joint venture were at an advanced stage," Gazprom said.