Donetsk Leader Signs Decree on Local Elections Postponement Until 2016

Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine, signed on Friday a decree on the postponement of local elections in the republic until 2016.

DONETSK (Sputnik) — The elections were moved to March 20, 2016, according to Zakharchenko’s decree. The move to postpone the elections was praised by several countries, including the United States, Germany, France and Russia.

"The leader signed today the decree [on local elections postponement]," Speaker of DPR People's Council (parliament) Denis Pushilin said in a statement.

"We are willing to resolve issues through direct dialogue with Kiev. However, any decision adopted at Minsk reconciliation talks, must be coordinated with DPR representatives," Pushilin stressed.

Ukraine is expected to hold local elections on October 25 in the rest of the country.

The self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine have repeatedly stated that the decision to hold elections independently from Kiev had been made after the Ukrainian government had proceeded to adopt a law on local elections without consulting them in advance, which contradicted the Minsk peace deal on the Ukrainian reconciliation.