Ukraine signs deal to resume Russian gas supplies

Moscow/Kiev: Ukraine on Monday removed conditions that threatened a gas deal to resume Russian supplies, opening the way for the rival former Soviet states to resolve a row that has plunged much of Europe into an energy crisis.

The removal of the additions, which Moscow described as a "mockery of common sense", offered a second chance to secure agreement to deploy monitors to check gas flows across Ukraine to Europe and restore supplies.

Flows to Europe have been cut off for nearly a week in freezing temperatures after Russia accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas to make up for losses it has suffered since Moscow turned off the tap on Jan. 1 in a dispute over gas prices.

The EU's Czech presidency and Russia's Gazprom said Kiev had signed the deal, without the conditions.

"There is no further reason why Russia should not renew gas supplies," Czech Industry Minister Martin Riman told reporters.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Moscow could also sign the deal again on Monday. Supplies would be set to resume once the monitors were deployed.

"We keep our fingers crossed that this is not another game and we really have a proper document," Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and Gazprom's chief Alexei Miller were heading for Brussels for further talks.