Ukraine has signed an agreement with the European Commission inviting independent monitors to verify Russian gas shipments to Europe, an official with Kiev's delegation to the E.U. said Thursday.
The memorandum, signed by Naftogaz chief Oleg Dubina and Deputy Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria, "opens the way to immediate transit via Ukraine," said Viacheslav Kniazhitski, who is in charge of energy issues for the delegation.
He said the European Commission still had to sign an agreement with Russia on sending monitors.
Gazprom chief Alexei Miller was due to meet with commission officials late Thursday evening, although it was unclear if it was to sign an agreement.