Russia hailed Wednesday Ukraine’s offer of self-rule for rebels in the east under a peace plan seen as the best chance yet of halting five months of bloody warfare.

Russia hailed Wednesday Ukraine's offer of self-rule for rebels in the east under a peace plan seen as the best chance yet of halting five months of bloody warfare.

Moscow, echoing comments by both Washington and the European Union, said it was a "step in the right direction" towards ending a conflict that has killed almost 2,900 people and sent East-West tensions spiraling.