Western sanctions failed

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said that the barrage of Western sanctions imposed against Russia over its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine has failed.

Putin said late on Monday that the West "expected to quickly upset the financial-economic situation, provoke panic in the markets, the collapse of the banking system and shortages in stores".

He added that "the strategy of the economic blitz has failed" and instead led to a "deterioration of the economy in the West".

The Russian leader spoke in televised remarks during a video call with top economic officials.

Putin noted that "Russia has withstood the unprecedented pressure", arguing that the rouble has strengthened and the country has recorded a historic high trade surplus of $58bn in the first quarter of the year, reports Al Jazeera online.

He also bestowed an honorary title on a brigade accused by Ukraine of "war crimes" and mass killings in the town of Bucha.