Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has said he was "deeply outraged" by incidents at a pro-EU rally in Kiev that led to violent confrontation between protesters and police with many injured.
He also said he will do everything in his power to speed up closer integration with the European Union.
The comments come as the country's capital Kiev braces itself for another demonstration against his decision not to sign a partnership deal with the EU in Vilnius on Friday, after pressure from Russia to opt for closer ties with Moscow instead.
"I will do everything that depends on me in order to accelerate the process of moving Ukraine closer to the European Union," he said in a statement.
Mr Yanukovych has vowed to investigate yesterday's early morning clashes for which Kiev police chief Valery Koryak also expressed regret.
Riot police clearing streets of protesters after a pro-EU rally on Friday night used batons and stun grenades, injuring an undisclosed number of people.
In an address to Ukrainians carried on his web site, the president called for an immediate and objective investigation so that those guilty could be punished, though he did not specifically blame the police for the incidents.
Around 10,000 protesters gathered again last night after Friday's protest with some staying in a city centre church before today's rally.
Interior minister Vitaly Zakharchenko warned protesters that police would respond if there were mass disturbances.
"Mass disorder? The police cannot fail to react to this. Do we want to go the way of Libya, Tunis? If there are calls [from the opposition] for mass disorder, then we will react," he told Interfax news agency.
Police earlier had promised there would be no repeat of the violence which has increased tension.
Opposition leaders have called for a general strike and want the government to fall.
They have urged crowds to attend today's protest to help remove Mr Yanukovich - who was elected in 2010 - from power.
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