MOSCOW, April 10, 2014 (AFP) - Pressident Vladimir Putin on Thursday sent a letter to leaders of 18 European countries, warning them Russia could yet cut gas supplies to Ukraine, but suggesting that Moscow and Brussels work together to help restore the crisis-hit country's battered economy.

If Ukraine does not settle its $2.2 billion energy bill, natural gas giant Gazprom would be "compelled to switch over to advance payment for gas deliveries, and in the event of further violation of the conditions of payment, will completely or partially cease gas deliveries," Putin wrote in the letter.

The missive's text was released by the Kremlin, Putin also said that "Russia is prepared to participate in the effort to stabilize and restore Ukraine's economy" but only on "equal terms" with the EU.

To be updated...