FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that some countries were using sanctions as part of their trade policy and complained that protectionism was on the rise globally.

Putin, speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, said the rules of global trade were being undermined.