West, Ukraine, hail rebel decision to postpone disputed elections

Pro-Russian rebels march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Donetsk, Ukraine May 5, 2015. REUTERS/Igor Tkachenko

KIEV (Reuters) - A decision by pro-Russian separatists to postpone local elections that Ukraine had said were illegitimate was welcomed on Tuesday by Kiev, the European Union, Washington and Moscow - the rebels' patron - as a sign of progress in the faltering peace process.

The separatists said the elections, which they had set for Oct. 18 and Nov. 1 in two regions they control, would take place next February, potentially giving time for a compromise that would suit all sides.