Russia starts gas supplies to rebel-held east Ukraine

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko talks to military staff in Kiev February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) - Russia started supplying gas to rebel-held eastern Ukraine on Thursday after Kiev had temporarily suspended deliveries because of damage to the networks from heavy fighting, which is continuing despite a ceasefire.

The spat over Russian gas supplies and pricing for Ukraine had been at the heart of the broader standoff between the two former Soviet states, which spilled over into a chill in Moscow's relations with the West.