"Putin Urges Local Currency Trade and Asserts Unity at SCO Summit"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has renewed calls for countries to trade with Russia using local currencies instead of the US dollar. Speaking at a trade summit, Putin highlighted that 80% of Russia-China trade is now settled in the yuan and the ruble. This push for de-dollarization comes as Russia faces sweeping sanctions over the Ukraine war. China, which has been trying to increase the global circulation of the yuan, also proposed expanding the use of local currencies for trade among countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Putin emphasized Russia's resistance to external pressure, sanctions, and provocations.