Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Western states’ “illegal” restrictions on Russian companies violated WTO regulations, and that his government must update Russia’s WTO strategy by June 1.

Putin claimed that Western countries have barred Russia from purchasing components needed to manufacture rolled metal, steel sheets, and other items at a government meeting on the country’s metals industry.

The supervisory board meeting of the presidential forum “Russia – Land of Opportunity” at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on April 20, 2022, is chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Sputnik/Mikhail Tereshchenko/Pool

“These (sanctions) are in violation of WTO norms, to which European colleagues have repeatedly stated their commitment,” Putin added.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, said earlier on Wednesday that Russian metals industries are facing “hostile attitudes” from what Moscow refers to as “unfriendly countries,” and that Russia will devise a strategy to address this.

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