U.S. figures, including influencer Candace Owens and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, are attending Russia's annual investment forum, the SPIEF event in St. Petersburg. The forum proceeds under the theme 'Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future,' while Russian President Vladimir Putin criticizes Western sanctions for harming the global economy. Separate Russia-U.S. talks on economic and energy issues are reportedly continuing, with Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev mentioning discussions with U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Candace Owens was also photographed with a sculpture of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has a defamation lawsuit against her.
U.S. influencer Candace Owens, U.S. official Rodney Mims Cook Jr., and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder are attending Russia's annual investment forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and economic stagnation. The event, dubbed 'Russian Davos,' proceeds with a theme of 'Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future.' Russian President Vladimir Putin used the forum to criticize Western sanctions, stating they are harmful to the global economy and have had a negative impact worldwide, while dismissing claims that Russia's economy had stalled. Separately, Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev stated that Russia-U.S. talks on economic and energy issues are continuing, distinct from stalled Ukraine peace negotiations. Dmitriev mentioned speaking with U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about energy, the economy, and global stability. Candace Owens was photographed with a sculpture of French President Emmanuel Macron at the SPIEF event; Macron and his wife have a defamation lawsuit against Owens. Andrew Tate is also reportedly expected to attend the SPIEF forum. The sources also mention a missing nuclear scientist found dead under mysterious circumstances, though details surrounding this event are unknown and it appears unrelated to the SPIEF proceedings.