INSTANT VIEW: Russia, Ukraine sign deal on gas flows

MOSCOW/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine signed a deal on Monday for a second time to help secure the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, cut off for nearly a week in freezing temperatures.

Russia has accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas to make up for losses it has suffered since Moscow turned off the tap on January 1 in a dispute over gas prices. Ukraine denies the charge.

COMMENTARY:

OLEKSANDER DERGACHEV, INDEPENDENT ANALYST IN KIEV

"Even before, Europe had kept its distance (from Ukraine-Russia gas supply talks), so this situation does not change anything radically and I would very much like to know the position of our leaders on this issue.

"It is still unclear how far Kiev and Moscow are willing to go in talks. However, the conflict has deepened to the political sphere to such an extent that it would be very difficult for both sides to move away from their previous statement."

NEIL SHEARING, EMERGING MARKETS ECONOMIST, CAPITAL ECONOMICS

LTD, LONDON: "The quicker this deal was signed, the better. In the near term, Russia didn't stand to lose much. The concerns from the Russian perspective are more about the medium term and how it is perceived as a secure and stable supplier of energy to the West."

"Ukraine was going to have a painful recession no matter what happened ... The only lasting solution is that Ukraine essentially has to pay a market price."

"If this is just an agreement to send Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, it makes little difference to Ukraine. The big thing is what price is it going to have to pay for its imports?"

BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER SERGEI STANISHEV IN PARLIAMENT:

"It must be clear that after the transit is restarted...the crisis could not be considered solved because the bilateral relations between Ukraine and Russia are not sorted out and the difference remains extremely deep."

"That is why we insist for the urgent implementation of alternative projects (to deliver gas to Europe)."