In his presidential statement Viktor Yanukovych announced that early presidential elections would be held in Ukraine. He mentioned that he would also make the move to start a procedure to form a government of national trust and initiate a return to the constitution of 2004 with a redistribution of powers towards a parliamentary republic, reported BBC.

Here are some key quotes from the statement:

"Esteemed compatriots!

"In these tragic days, when Ukraine has suffered such heavy losses, when people have died on both sides of the barricades I see it as my responsibility to the glorious memory of those killed to declare: nothing is more important than human lives. And there are no steps that we cannot take together to restore peace in Ukraine.

"I announce steps required to restore calm and avoid further victims in the stand-off.

"I announce that I will call an early presidential election.

"I will also initiate a return to the constitution of 2004 with a redistribution of powers towards a parliamentary republic.

"I call for the start of a procedure to form a government of national trust.

"As president of Ukraine and guarantor of the Constitution, I am fulfilling my duty to the people, Ukraine and God Almighty in the name of preserving the state, in the name of defending human lives, in the name of peace and calm in our land."