The European Union on Wednesday charged the Russian gas giant with overcharging buyers in eastern Europe and hindering competition. [ID:nL5N0XI4MA]

"We hope that a compromise will be found," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on a conference call.

"We are looking forward to an absolutely impartial attitude towards the Gazprom company. Of course, Gazprom will defend its interests and the state, as a major shareholder in the company, will also defend the interests of Gazprom."

(Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Vladimir Soldatkin and Lidia Kelly; Editing by Mark Potter)