"Territories controlled by Kiev will be liberated either by force of arms or Ukrainian troops will leave them and stop killing people there," Putin stated in an interview with India Today.
The president underscored that Russia urged Ukraine to pull back from Donbass, but Kiev chose to keep fighting.
He emphasised that the people of Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) chose independence from Ukraine in a referendum.
"We immediately told the Ukrainian troops: people do not want to live with you. They went out to the referendum and voted," Putin said.
Russia tried to build relations between the DPR and LPR and Ukraine, but Kiev did not recognise them, the president said, noting that Kiev refused to withdraw its troops from the DPR and the LPR after the referendum.
“Russia proposed that Ukraine withdraw its troops from Donbass and refrain from starting military actions, but Kiev prefers to fight," Putin stressed.
Russia disagreed with some points of the US Ukraine peace proposals, describing discussions as complex, he further said, adding that the US suggested splitting its 28-point plan into four packages for consideration.
He further called on Europe to engage constructively.
"European countries should actively participate in Ukraine negotiations rather than obstruct them," Putin stressed.