India, Nov. 27 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Moscow would end its offensive in Ukraine if Kyiv withdraws from the territory Russia claims, adding that the country would take it by force if Kyiv doesn't agree.

"If Ukrainian forces leave the territories they hold, then we will stop combat operations," Putin said during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, adding, "If they don't, then we will achieve it by military means."

Russia controls nearly one-fifth of Ukraine's territory. The Russian forces are currently fighting the Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine, according to AFP.

Putin's statement comes amid a peace call to end the four-year war by the US and Europe. However, the issue of occupied land, which Kyiv has said it will ...