Vladimir Putin is likely to adopt a provocative tone as he addresses the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum this afternoon, Ivor Bennett, Sky News’s Moscow correspondent, has said.

In his speech, expected at midday UK time at the earliest, the Russian leader may stress there is an alternative view of world affairs to the one being put forward by the West, Bennett added.

“I think he will undoubtedly use some more provocative rhetoric,” Bennett said – noting there has been more confrontation in the Russian leader’s tone recently, “culminating in that threat on Wednesday night to potentially send weapons to other nations to hit Western targets”.

Bennett added: “Whether or not he’ll be drawn more…