AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla stated that German business representatives at SPIEF defended the interests of German companies operating in Russia, emphasizing the need for dialogue and the economic importance of these firms for Germany.
Orenburg Region Governor Evgeny Solntsev signed cooperation agreements with VTB and Alfa-Bank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He also met with Sberbank representatives to discuss financing a waste processing plant. The agreements aim to boost the region's economy through investment, innovation, and SME support.
Samara Region signed 13 investment agreements totaling 217.88 billion rubles at SPIEF. Key deals include a 124 billion ruble carbamide production complex with Uralchem and a 5 billion ruble livestock complex with EKONIVA.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with heads of leading global news agencies at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The two-hour discussion, organized by TASS, covered international issues including conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, and Russia's relations with various countries and blocs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted desertion as a significant problem in Ukraine during a meeting with international news agency heads at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), stating it leads to territorial losses.
Russia and Saudi Arabia will sign 30 cooperation agreements in sectors including energy, education, and tourism on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud announced the agreements at the forum, where Saudi Arabia is the guest country.
Moscow region governor discussed digitalization of oversight activities at SPIEF, highlighting AI-powered video surveillance for construction projects and municipal land control, drones for site checks, and smart systems for urban improvement.
Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russian President's special envoy, believes US participation at SPIEF could signal progress in Russia-US relations, despite strong anti-Russian sentiment and ongoing sanctions.
An interparliamentary dialogue between Russian State Duma deputies and EU Parliament members took place on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Despite opposition from EU institutions, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening peace and normalizing Russia-EU relations.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that no meetings are planned between Russian President Vladimir Putin or the Kremlin and the US delegation attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Peskov remarked, "They are not quite, so to speak, our kind of people." The US delegation, led by US Commission of Fine Arts Chairman Rodney Mims Cook, marks the first official US representation at SPIEF in years.
Russia is ready to provide a negotiation platform for a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, stated Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Moscow supports normalization efforts and highlights the potential of the "3+3" regional cooperation platform.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., head of the US delegation at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), revealed his admiration for Russian architectural style, having built his dacha in Atlanta in the Russian wooden architecture tradition. He also shared fond memories of visiting Yasnaya Polyana and riding horses with Vladimir Tolstoy.
Saudi Arabia and Russia will sign 30 cooperation agreements in areas including energy and education at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This follows the signing of 90 agreements in Riyadh during a previous visit by a Russian delegation.
Steven Seagal, US actor and Russian Foreign Ministry Special Representative, proposed an international film studio or foundation at SPIEF to foster global unity through cinema. He envisions a diverse collective of filmmakers rather than a single controlling entity.
Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov test-drove the new Volga K50 crossover at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The Volga brand will initially offer three models, with mass production starting this quarter and sales in June.
Despite claims of an official German business delegation at SPIEF, attendees like Thomas Bruch and Stefan Dürr represent Russian entities or have strong ties to Russia, not Germany. Trade between Russia and Germany has significantly declined.
Uzbekistan's Deputy PM Jamshid Khodjayev met with Gazprom, Gazprom Neft, and Rosneft CEOs at SPIEF to discuss energy cooperation, supply reliability, and investment projects. He also met with St. Petersburg's Governor to boost interregional ties.
Vyacheslav Fetisov, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, stated he recently played ice hockey with President Vladimir Putin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026). Fetisov described Putin as enjoying the game and finding it a way to switch wavelengths and generate positive emotions.
Moscow region plans to sign 42 agreements worth 95 billion rubles at SPIEF 2026, creating 7,700 jobs. Governor Andrey Vorobyov highlighted focus on robotization, AI, and 'Light Industrial' formats, with projects in logistics automation and AI implementation.
The SENAT 900, a new executive sedan, was officially launched at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 4, 2026. The car, which has received type approval, aims to replace European luxury sedans in corporate and government fleets in Russia, offering a V6 engine, all-wheel drive, and air suspension.
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) that child mortality rates, including from injuries, have decreased. He emphasized that mortality indicators are always measurable and clear results.
Russian officials, including Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, discussed the contours of a new economic growth model at the SPIEF-2026 forum. They acknowledged the need to constantly adjust the economic model due to global events and crises.
Russian large companies are increasingly sourcing software, tech products, and components from SMEs, a trend discussed at SPIEF 2026. This shift aims to boost the SME sector's contribution to GDP, which is currently around 20%, significantly lower than in the US.
A German delegation, including parliament member Markus Frohnmaier, is attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to discuss the conditions for approximately 1,500 German companies operating in Russia and the ongoing energy crisis in Germany.
