SCO summit: Putin says sanctions making Russia stronger

Russia will continue to oppose Western sanctions, President Vladimir Putin has said, following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

His address to a virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was his first to an international meeting since last month's mutiny in Russia.

Mr Putin backed trade accords between SCO nations in local currencies - seen as an attempt to blunt sanctions.

The 2023 SCO summit is taking place virtually, under India's leadership.

Mr Putin used the platform to send a message of defiance to the West, saying "Russia counters all these external sanctions, pressures and provocations and continues to develop as never before". read more