ST. PETERSBURG, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday stressed the need to join efforts globally in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The world has not yet recovered from the difficulties and restrictions caused by COVID-19, and effective results could only be achieved through cooperation, Putin said at a meeting via video link with representatives of world news agencies.

"If sources of COVID-19 infections remain somewhere in the world, then they can again trigger a spread globally," he said at the meeting on the sidelines of the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The Russian leader believes that economic benefits should not be a priority at this point.

"We need to prioritize humanitarian issues and the fight for the health and lives of people," Putin said.