( CNN ) A war with Ukraine would be `` apocalyptic '' but will probably never happen , Russian President Vladimir Putin said . `` I believe such ( an ) apocalyptic scenario is unlikely , and hope that it will never get to that point , '' he told Russian media Monday . Putin said he 's confident the crisis will stabilize if the Minsk Agreement is implemented . The accord , between Russia , Ukraine , France and Germany , includes a ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists and an agreement for both sides to pull back heavy weapons . Despite frequent violations of the ceasefire , Putin said there 's no need for immediate action beyond the Minsk Agreement , such as more international peace talks or the formal recognition of rebel separatist groups like the People 's Republic of Donetsk and the People 's Republic of Lugansk . `` I really hope ( the Minsk Agreement ) is implemented , and if it is -- it is the right way to normalization of situation in that Ukrainian region , '' Putin said . But the chaos on the ground in eastern Ukraine suggests the truce is crumbling . In the past week , shelling has intensified in the city of Donetsk . And on Friday , Ukraine 's National Defense and Security Council reported 300 violations of the ceasefire , which was less than a week old . Ukraine has said its forces wo n't back down until attacks from the rebels stop . Pro-Russian separatists have also accused Ukraine of instigating violence . In his interview , Putin also said there 's no chance Crimea -- which was annexed by Russia last year -- will go back in Ukraine . `` Regarding the return of any territories , such things are of revengeful nature , and it is not about return of some territories somewhere , '' Putin said . `` Crimea will remain Russian , Ukrainian , Tatar , Greek , and German -- it will be a home to all these nations . With regard to its nationality , Crimean people made their choice , which we must respect . '' On the streets of Moscow , many Russian point their fingers at the United States for the Ukraine crisis . The latest polls show 81 % of Russians have a negative view of the U.S. -- the highest number since the collapse of the Soviet Union . State-run media reports the United States wants to encroach on Russia . And the Kremlin 's propaganda campaign seems to be paying off . `` My attitude to America is bad , '' one woman said . `` The way I watch the news , I realize the Americans want to get a hold of half of Russia . '' Russia has denied widespread claims that it is supporting the pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine and has sent its own troops to the border . The United Nations says more than 5,000 people have been killed since mid-April amid the fighting between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian troops . Many of those killed were civilians . CNN 's Erin McLaughlin and Elena Sandyrev contributed to this report .
Vladimir Putin says he hopes Russia and Ukraine wo n't go to war . Comment: