Russia expects no cut in EU gas supplies, no decision on Kiev cut

Kiev and Moscow have argued over gas supplies and pricing for the past year as Ukrainian forces battled pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine a conflict that has killed more than 5,600 people.

"We are counting on a new prepayment for Russian gas being made on time ... There should be no break in gas supplies to European customers," Novak said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Gazprom threatened to cut supplies to Ukraine within days unless it sent more money, and said transit to Europe could be under threat. But a Gazprom spokesman told Reuters there had been no decision on such a move yet.

Naftogaz said on Tuesday Gazprom had supplied less than half of two prepaid daily shipments, due for delivery on Sunday and Monday.

Europe received around 147 billion cubic metres of Russian gas last year - or around a third of its total needs - with roughly 40 percent shipped via Ukraine.

Moscow cut off supplies to Kiev last June and restored them only in December, after a European-brokered deal secured supplies through the winter. The deal looks in jeopardy after a disagreement over who should pay for gas to rebel-held areas.

Under the deal, Ukraine is required to pay in advance for gas. But it has said it will not make any further payments without new guarantees because Moscow failed on Sunday and Monday to deliver gas that had already been purchased.

The so-called winter gas deal is due to expire at the end of next month, and Kiev has managed to reduce its reliance on direct Russian gas supplies thanks to imports from Europe.

Novak said he was in regular contact with European and Ukrainian energy officials by phone.

Earlier this month, EU energy boss Maros Sefcovic said Brussels was looking to persuade Moscow to open new gas price talks with Ukraine, a step that Novak linked to Kiev paying off the rest of its gas debts.

(Reporting by Katya Golubkova; additional reporting by Denis Pinchuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)