MOSCOW, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke against protectionism and unilateralism when addressing the G20 summit via video link on Saturday.

"We have to tackle the urgent problems that have accumulated in international trade. In particular, it is necessary to strive to curb protectionism, abandon the practice of unilateral sanctions, and resume supply chains," Putin said.

He believes that there is no alternative to the World Trade Organization today, and a stable and effective multilateral trading system based on universal norms and principles is needed.

Putin said that countries need to beef up effective mechanisms of multilateral cooperation and strengthen key international institutions, while relying on the UN Charter and generally accepting norms and principles of international law.

The two-day summit is hosted by Saudi Arabia, the current president of the bloc.