Gazprom to resume gas supply once Ukraine pays $2.2 billion

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak shakes hands with Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuri Prodan (R) after gas talks between the European Union, Russia and Ukraine at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels October 30, 2014. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia could resume natural gas deliveries to Ukraine as soon as next week if Kiev pays $2.2 billion (1.4 billion pounds) in debt and pre-payments, gas exporter Gazprom said on Friday, under a deal that also safeguards winter deliveries to Europe.

Moscow, Kiev and the European Union reached an agreement on Thursday over the gas supplies despite tensions over a pro-Russian separatist rebellion in east Ukraine.