Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that only the United Nations Security Council can restrict Russian weapons sales abroad.
"Only sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council can serve as a basis for restricting weapons supplies to any particular country," Putin said.
"In all other cases, nobody can use any pretext to dictate to Russia or any other country on how they should trade and with whom."
The remark appeared aimed at defending Moscow from criticism for supplying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government as it battles rebels who oppose his regime.
Russia sold Syria $1 billion worth of weapons last year, but Putin has said Russia was not delivering any weapons to Syria that could be used in a civil conflict.
"Only sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council can serve as a basis for restricting weapons supplies to any particular country," Putin said.
"In all other cases, nobody can use any pretext to dictate to Russia or any other country on how they should trade and with whom."
The remark appeared aimed at defending Moscow from criticism for supplying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government as it battles rebels who oppose his regime.
Russia sold Syria $1 billion worth of weapons last year, but Putin has said Russia was not delivering any weapons to Syria that could be used in a civil conflict.