Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has insisted that he and his government have "fulfilled all the obligations" to solve the crisis in the country, reports BBC.
But the political opposition continued to "whip up" the situation, he added.
The defiant statement was issued on the presidential website (Ukrainian) after weeks of often-violent anti-government protests in Kiev and other cities led to a series of government concessions.
It followed an announcement that Mr Yanukovych, 63, was on sick leave.
The presidential website said he had a respiratory illness and a high fever.
The protests began in November after President Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign an trade deal with the European Union, instead favouring a $15bn (£9.2bn; 10.9bn euros) bailout deal with Russia.
Anti-government protesters are still occupying government buildings and manning barricades in the centre of the capital Kiev.
The past week has seen President Yanukovych accept the resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet, and offer senior jobs to the opposition - offers that were rejected.
And the country's parliament has voted to annul a recently enacted law restricting protests, which appeared to be inflaming the situation, and pass an amnesty law for detained protesters under the condition that occupied buildings were vacated.
Ukraine President Viktor defiant amid turmoil
FE Team | Published: January 31, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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