The U.S. and some EU states have pushed for Kosovo's independence, while Russia has strongly opposed sovereignty for Kosovo, saying it would set a dangerous precedent, including for post-Soviet states.
"Why is it necessary to continue shaking up the foundations of international law by encouraging and promoting separatism in Europe and ex-Soviet republics?" Putin told a news conference following talks with Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva.
"Wouldn't it be better to be patient and attempt to find a solution under international law that would satisfy all conflicting parties?" the Russian president said.
Putin, who arrived in Portugal on Thursday for a two-day official visit and to attend a Russia-EU summit, reiterated that Russia's approach to Kosovo is based on defending a key principle of international law - the territorial integrity of sovereign countries.
Serbian officials and representatives of Kosovo, a UN protectorate since NATO's 1999 bombing campaign that ended a conflict between Serbian troops and Albanian separatists, have failed so far to reach a compromise on Kosovo status, with Serbia offering broad autonomy for the province, and Kosovo insisting on full sovereignty.
December 10 has been set as the deadline for the Contact group negotiating a solution on the predominantly Albanian province's status - Russia, the United States, and the four largest European Union members - to submit a report to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Belgrade and Russia have spoken out against strict timeframes in the long-running dispute, but Kosovo Albanian leaders have said they will declare independence unilaterally if no deal is reached by the December 10 deadline.
