MOSCOW, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir

Putin said on Thursday there was no time left this year to sign

a new Ukrainian gas transit deal.

Putin said it was impossible to sign a new deal with Ukraine

just a few days before New Year. He said Slovakia had said it

could host talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia is ready to supply gas via Ukraine to any customer

but he said a lawsuit was making that impossible.

Russia has said it would be ready to extend the transit deal

but Kyiv has repeatedly said it will not do it.