KIEV, Feb. 22 - President Viktor Yanukovych warned that Ukraine may quit the European Energy Community in reaction to its lack of support for Kiev in ongoing natural gas disputes with Russia.

The warning comes two weeks after Yanukovych said he was unhappy that the community had given a green light to Russian gas pipeline projects bypassing Ukraine on the way to Europe.

"The interests of Ukraine are violated," Yanukovych said in remarks aired by the state television. "So, the question is 'Why do we need to be in the community?"