Rebels Regions Of Ukraine Agree To Delay Elections Until Next Year

Wall Street Journal: Russia-Backed Rebels in Ukraine to Delay Disputed Elections

Move welcomed by Moscow and Kiev as step towards implementing February’s peace plan.

KIEV, Ukraine—Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine said on Tuesday they would postpone the disputed elections that were threatening to derail peace talks.

The move was immediately welcomed by Moscow and Kiev as another step toward implementing a peace plan signed in February in Minsk, Belarus. While a cease-fire has largely held in the region for a month, both sides have balked at political concessions aimed at reintegrating the areas into Ukraine with increased local powers.

Separatist officials said in a statement carried by their official news agencies they would postpone elections originally scheduled for the coming weeks until next year.

Kiev and its Western backers, which have demanded that free and fair local elections take place according to Ukrainian law, had said that elections held on the rebels’ terms would be a violation of the peace deal.

WNU Editor: This is telling .... France, Germany Tell Ukraine to Cooperate with Putin (Washington Free Beacon). What's my take on the current situation in Ukraine .... this is going to be a very hard winter for all sides in the conflict. No one is really working, money is short, people are looking for a way out.

More News On Rebels Regions Of Ukraine Agreeing To Delay Elections Until Next Year

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'delay disputed elections' -- BBC
Ukraine rebels to delay local election, sidestep tense topic -- AP
West, Ukraine, hail rebel decision to postpone disputed elections -- Reuters
In key concession, Ukraine rebels delay polls until 2016 -- AFP
Ukraine rebels push back controversial elections -- DW
East Ukraine Rebels Postpone Local Polls -- VOA
Ukraine Rebels Delay Local Election as Weapon Pullback Continues -- Bloomberg