Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivschyna Party, believes Viktor Yanukovych is fighting against the independence of Ukraine and should face trial for that.

In a statement released by the Russian media on Friday, Yanukovych called for referendums to be conducted to determine the status of every region of Ukraine and announced that he is leaving the Party of Regions.

"If this is a statement by Yanukovych, it shows once again that this man, who was once president of Ukraine, has essentially become a tool used in the fight against Ukraine, against the people of Ukraine, a tool for virtually destroying the independence of Ukraine," Tymoshenko told a briefing on Friday.

Tymoshenko reiterated that Yanukovych "will face trial and will be punished in accordance with the law for all his statements calling for separatism, the bringing of troops in Ukraine, the overthrowing of a lawful administration, the destruction of the independence of Ukraine, and military action against Ukraine."

At the same time, Tymoshenko said she doubts the statement published in the Russian media was issued by Yanukovych.

"It's absolutely unknown whether or not this statement was made by Yanukovych," she said.