Russia’s president expected to comment on global food and energy crisis in landmark speech
Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday. It will be his first major appearance before an international audience since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in late February. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin’s speech this year will be “extremely important.”
He added that the president will focus on the Russian economy, but will also comment on global events. Putin is expected to address rising energy prices and the looming global food crisis, among other issues. SPIEF is an annual meeting of business leaders, investors and politicians. The forum began on Wednesday and will run until June 18.
This year’s event has been overshadowed by extensive sanctions imposed on Moscow by EU and NATO member states, with many large corporations leaving the Russian market. Putin said this month that companies leaving the Russian market will regret the move. On Thursday he linked the exodus to countries “that cannot make sovereign decisions.”