Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych says he believes that peaceful protest rallies are turning into mass riots and pose a threat to the entire Ukraine.

"I was sympathetic to your participation in mass rallies, expressed willingness to listen to your position and jointly find solutions to existing conflicts, but now, when peaceful protest are being turned into mass riots, accompanied by pogroms and arson, violence, I am convinced that such acts pose a threat not only to the Kyiv local community, but to the whole of Ukraine," Yanukovych said in his address to the nation, which has been posted on his official Web site on Monday evening.