MOSCOW

Russia's president on Monday said the country’s arms sales increased to $13 billion in 2019. 

"Despite sanctions and unfair competition, Russia's position in the global arms market is getting stronger," Vladimir Putin said in a speech at a meeting of the Russian Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation with Foreign Countries.

Arms sales this year have exceeded the same period last year by $2 billion, he said, adding that other countries witnessed the achievements of Russia's defense industry in various fairs across the country.

Agreements worth a total of approximately $558 million were signed during these fairs, he noted, adding that Russia's portfolio of arms sale remains stable exceeding $50 billion.

Putin stressed the importance of the arms sale to members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States and other traditional partners, and called for arms sales agreements to be pursued in favorable and flexible payment conditions for African countries.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak