Special to WorldTribune.com

MOSCOW — Russia has reported a decline in arms exports in 2014.

The Kremlin said Russian defense exports reached $13 billion in 2014, the second largest after the United States. The figure marked a 18 percent decline from 2013, when exports were reported at $15.7 billion.

“We have so far exported weaponry worth $13 billion while the current portfolio of foreign arms orders is worth over $48 billion,” Vladimir Kozhin, a defense aide to President Vladimir Putin, said.

In an address on Dec. 17, Kozhin, assigned to oversee the defense industry, did not explain the reason for the decline in exports. But he said Moscow was hampered by U.S.-led sanctions in wake of the Russian capture of Crimea from Ukraine.

Officials said the defense export figure for 2014 was expected. They cited Western sanctions on such leading Russian aerospace and defense contractors as Oboronprom, United Aircraft Corporation and Uralvagonzavod.

The Middle East has been a major market for Russian defense companies. Algeria, Iran and Syria were cited as leading Russian clients — with Egypt expected to submit a multi-billion-dollar order in 2015.

“The Russian defense industry has inspired confidence,” Kozhin said.