"The economy is falling into an abyss of a systemic crisis and the most pressing problems that concern people need to be solved," the Novosti-Ukraine agency quoted Yanukovich as saying. "This is more important than looking for enemies in the country."
The former premier, who lost last year's presidential election to Viktor Yushchenko, added that breaches committed during voting had to be investigated in his stronghold in the east and the pro-Yushchenko west of the country.
Yanukovich said investigations into electoral violations had only been launched against people who had not supported the incumbent president at the elections. "This practice offends people and electors," Yanukovich said.
"Conclusions on gross violations have to be made in relation to all those involved in the electoral process but the authorities are putting pressure on only one half of society," he said.
The former prime minister said that the country's authorities were involved in a campaign of political repression against those who supported "a different candidate" at the elections. Yanukovich said the democratic principles declared by the incumbent authorities had to be observed.
