Ukraine, Russia and the European Union have worked out a deal for the resumption of Russian natural gas supplies to Ukraine this winter.
The deal has been brokered in mediated talks in Brussels.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk says his side is ready to pay off its debts to Russia as soon as it can.
"The first tranche of payment for gas that was supplied in the past which amounts to 1.45 billion USD will be paid within the shortest time straightaway after the protocol is signed. The rest of the debt which amounts to 1.65 billion USD will be paid before the end of the current year."
There had been growing concerns in Ukraine about the ability to heat homes through the bitter winter months, as Russia supplies around half of all Ukraine's natural gas needs.
