All the barriers to register Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine with the World Health Organisation (WHO) have been cleared and only some paperwork remains to be completed, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said.

The Sputnik V shot, widely used in Russia and approved for use in over 70 countries, is undergoing a review by the WHO and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Their approval could open up new markets for the shot, especially in Europe.

Murashko has met WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva.

“Russia's position on promotion and registration of the Sputnik V vaccine was heard, we have removed all the questions for today,” Murashko was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.