Putin hails Russian arms sales abroad

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says that arms sales abroad have continued to increase over the past year. Speaking Monday at a meeting with top officials, Putin said that arms exports are expected to top $13 billion this year, which he said exceeds last year's sales by more than $2 billion. The Russian leader added that Moscow's positions on the global arms market have continued to strengthen despite Western sanctions. Russian arms shipments abroad this year included the delivery of the S-400 air defense missile systems to Turkey — a deal that vexed Washington. Putin said Russian arms manufacturers now have foreign orders totaling $50 billion. During the meeting, Putin urged Russian officials to pay special attention to arms sales to Africa and show a "flexible" ap