Ukraine's foreign ministry said peace talks with pro-Russian rebels involving Moscow and European envoys that Kiev had hoped to hold on Tuesday had been postponed.

"Today, nothing will happen. Consultations are continuing," a foreign ministry spokesman told AFP.

Kiev had hoped to hold the talks in the Belarussian capital Minsk on the same day as a ceasefire was introduced along the frontline, but rebels had earlier said they wished to postpone the talks until at least Friday.