Ukrainian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych decried Tuesday attempts to split the country and pledged to protect Ukraine's sovereignty.

"I'm not going to put up with attempts to split Ukraine, split my people on territorial, language or religious grounds," Yanukovych told a meeting of foreign diplomats in Kiev, referring to the divisions that hit the country since the disputed presidential elections on Nov. 21.

Several eastern regions supporting the prime minister had called for autonomy after the Viktor Yushchenko-led opposition contested the results of the presidential run-off.

"The unity of our country, its independence, and sovereignty for me is of the highest value, and I will protect it from any post (I occupy) and under any conditions," Yanukovych said.

Ukraine's eastern and southern Russian-speaking regions support pro-Moscow Yanukovych while his rival, pro-West Yushchenko, draws support in western Ukrainian-speaking regions, a traditional stronghold of nationalism.

Yanukovych also said Ukraine should not choose between Europe and Russia.

"Ukraine can be strong and stable only by having strong positions both in the East and in the West," he said.

As the Dec. 26 re-run of the presidential runoff draws near, both candidates have been engaged in intensive pre-election campaigning.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Tuesday the outcome of Ukraine'spresidential rematch must be respected.

"The result of the Dec. 26 vote has to be respected by everybody. Nobody has the right to interfere," Schroeder said after talks with Putin in the north German city of Schleswig.

Putin, who had congratulated Yanukovych after the latter claimed victory in the Nov. 21 runoff, said he would have no problem working with Yushchenko if he wins.

"I know Mr. Yushchenko as I do the current prime minister, Mr. Yanukovych," Putin said.

"He has also been a member of President (Leonid) Kuchma's team, like Yanukovych, and so I don't see any problem," he added.

The European Union (EU), for its part, said it was not taking sides and wanted a free and fair vote.

"I hope that the candidate who appears to have the greatest support among the population of Ukraine is elected fairly," said Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

The EU has provided up to 4 million US dollars to fund the monitoring of the weekend vote, which has drawn some 12, 000 observers from foreign governments and international institutions.

Source: Xinhua