The Ukrainian police and security forces have acted lawfully in opposing protesters, and it is the radical actions by demonstrators that have made the authorities act in a tough way, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said.

"All these actions are prompting the authorities to act in a certain way today in order to stop this process. The law enforcement agencies are working within the framework of their powers and the law, which imposes some obligations on them," Yanukovych said at a meeting with religious leaders on Friday.

The authorities are determined "to negotiate and look for compromises," he said.

Yanukovych said he was alarmed by the fact that the protest movement has split into a peaceful and a radical part, and contented that the actions of radical protesters pose danger. "The peaceful Maidan [the protest movement] should be separated from the radical Maidan, which is posing danger to all peaceful citizens," he said.

The president described the seizure of administrative buildings by the opposition and the storage of weapons there as a serious violation of the law. "This is a gross violation of Ukrainian law, this is fraught with danger," he said.

Yanukovych said he will insist on finding a compromise, liberating the buildings seized by the protesters, and stopping the radical actions.

"Should the conflict be continued? The ministries and administrations seized? Everything ruined, and Ukraine itself ruined, too?" Yanukovych exclaimed rhetorically.

He regretted that radical protesters fail to hear the opposition leaders.