President Vladimir Putin spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he addressed leaders from Bolivia and Zimbabwe, as well as business leaders. He highlighted the growth of the Russian economy despite facing international sanctions and emphasized the expansion of economic ties with countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Putin expressed Russia’s continued participation in world trade, despite the impact of sanctions imposed due to the conflict in Ukraine.
The forum has historically served as a platform for Russia to showcase its development, but in recent years, Western officials and investors have avoided the event due to sanctions restricting trade with Western Europe, the U.S., and their allies. The conflict in Ukraine has become a key driver of Russia’s economic growth, as significant to the Kremlin economically as it is politically.
Putin’s media appearances have been heavily controlled since Russian forces entered Ukraine, but he took questions from international journalists at the forum. He warned of the possibility of arming others with long-range weapons to target Western countries in response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to use their arms against Russian territory. He also reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to use nuclear weapons to protect its sovereignty if necessary.
Last year, journalists from countries considered unfriendly by Russia, such as the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union, were not invited to the forum. Despite facing challenges and tensions on the international stage, Putin continues to promote Russia’s economic growth and global partnerships in various regions.