Ukraine signed a deal today to allow the tracking of natural gas shipments from Russia, opening a way for Europe to receive again gas supplies from Russia.

As Ukraine removed previous conditions, Russian state-operated Gazprom announced on Monday that it signed a deal during morning discussions in Kiev, where independent monitors will be deployed to track gas flows and restore supplies. Ukraine's Neftogaz confimed the agreement.

As soon as they (the monitors) are at the control points, and we are sure that they can control the transit of our gas, Gazprom will pump gas to Ukraine's gas transit system to be shipped to European customers, Vladimir Putin, Russia's Prime Minister said at a Cabinet meeting Monday, reported the Associated Press quoting news agency RIA-Novosti.

European Union energy ministers including Ukrainian officials, Gazprom's CEO and Russian government ministers are expected to attend a meeting in Brussels on Monday.

Russia suspended its gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine on Jan. 7 amid allegations that Kiev was diverting them. However Ukraine denied the accusations.

Ukraine Vladimir putin Russia