NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 30. /TASS/. Russia and the European Commission (EC) have signed the protocol on gas supplies to Ukraine, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, adding that it’s now Kiev’s turn.

"The ball is in Ukraine’s court. The protocol has been signed from our side and from the side of the EC too. In fact nothing hinders them (Kiev) from paying according to the agreements we reached," the Minister said.

"Existence of the protocol is not a condition of our relationship. There are agreements already, which can regulate our work now if you like. We didn’t have any protocols in the second quarter of this year while discount was granted," he said.

Yet, so far Gazprom has not received $500 mln prepayment for gas supplies from Kiev, Novak said. "The funds have not been received. 500 mln (dollars) are expected (to be received)," the Minister said when answering the question whether Gazprom received funds from Naftogaz Ukrainy as prepayment for gas supplies.

As TASS reported earlier on September 25, trilateral gas talks between Russia, the European Union and Ukraine in Brussels resulted in an agreement on Ukraine’s purchases of gas from Gazprom in the volume of 2 bln cubic meters. Ukraine’s Naftogaz has already accumulated around $500 mln for purchases. The funds are expected to be transferred to Gazprom’s account after all documents initiated in Brussels are signed. Supplies will be launched on October 1.