(VOVworld) – On Friday Russia and Ukraine resumed a new round of talks in Brussels on gas supply for Kiev over winter months and the EU.

An engineer during a workday at a gas drilling rig on the biggest Ukrainian gas extraction site near the city of Poltava on June 27, 2014 (Photo: AFP)

The negotiations which were brokered by the EU drew the participation of the Russian Energy Minister, the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Minister, and the European Commissioner for Energy.

They agreed on more talks next month in pursuit of a deal that could help to defuse wider tensions between Moscow and Kiev.

Parties involved agreed that preparations for the gas supply for Kiev will begin from now.

Speaking after the talks, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Russia would be willing to consider a discount, but a take-or-pay clause that requires Kiev to buy a certain amount of gas whether it needs it or not would apply from April 1. Besides, Ukraine should guarantee the transit for the EU supply.