European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker recommended Friday the EU should offer visa-free travel to Ukraine, Georgia and Kosovo, all three locked in bitter disputes with Russia.

"The Commission this morning took a positive position on the liberalisation of visas for Georgia, Kosovo and Ukraine," Juncker said after an EU leaders summit in Brussels.

The 28-nation EU suspended talks with Russia on visa-free short-stays early last year over for its role in the Ukraine crisis.