Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday, June 7, 2024. In this photo released by Roscongress Foundation, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a plenary session at the Eastern Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 7, 2024. In this photo released by Roscongress Foundation, Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a the Eastern Economic Forum in St.
The forum has been used by Russia for decades as a showcase for touting the country’s development, though Western officials and investors have steered clear of the session since sanctions cut off much of Russia’s trade with Western Europe, the U.S. and their allies. The main driver of Russia’s economic growth is the fighting in Ukraine — now as important to the Kremlin economically as it is politically.Putin warns that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targetsPutin has heavily controlled his media appearances since sending his forces into Ukraine but he took questions Wednesday from international journalists, including some from Western countries he has criticized, on the sidelines of the forum.
Last year, journalists from countries that Russia regards as unfriendly — including the U.S., the U.K. and the European Union — were not invited to the forum.