Putin claims that sanctions are strengthening Russia.

 

President Vladimir Putin has stated that following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Russia will continue to reject Western sanctions.

Son discours à la conférence fictive de l'Organisation de coopération de Shanghai était son premier à un rassemblement international après la mutinerie russe le mois dernier.

Mr. Putin supported SCO commercial agreements that were conducted in local currencies, which was perceived as an effort to circumvent sanctions.

Under the direction of India, the SCO summit in 2023 is being held digitally.

Russia "counters all these external sanctions, pressures, and provocations" and "continues to develop as never before," Mr. Putin declared, using the platform to deliver a message of defiance to the West.

Since the Wagner mercenary squad launched a short-lived mutiny in late June, he has made a number of public appearances, but this was the first occasion he was spotted with a group of world leaders.

"I would like to thank my colleagues from the SCO countries who expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership to protect the constitutional order and the life and security of citizens," he said in a televised address to the summit from the Kremlin in Moscow.

More than 80% of the trade between Chinese and Russians, according to Mr. Putin