EditPutin’s glitzy “Davos” in St. Petersburg: war, stagnation, and a side of influencers
As Russia tries to project strength and openness, the guest list reads like a motley crew of contrarians, opportunists, and those willing to overlook - or profit from - the ongoing conflict
While the real Davos talks about global futures in the Swiss Alps, Vladimir Putin’s version — the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) — opened this week as a somewhat awkward wartime afterparty: part investment pitch, part propaganda show, and part celebrity circus.
The fifth wartime edition of Putin’s “Russian Davos” kicked off under the slogan “Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future.” The irony was not lost on attendees. Russia’s economy is sputtering at around 0.4% growth this year, burdened by war spending, sanctions, and sky-high interest rates. Yet the event rolled out the red carpet – quite literally – for a curious mix of guests.
The guest list: from Trump’s interior designer to the “Top G”
Among the headline attractions:
- Candace Owens, the American conservative commentator, scheduled to speak on “balancing parenthood in a large family with a successful career.”
- Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and overseer of Donald Trump’s White House ballroom renovation.
- And, in what can only be described as a plot twist, internet personality Andrew Tate (possibly accompanied by brother Tristan) made a dramatic appearance in Moscow, greeted with traditional bread, salt, and folk dancers.
Tate – the self-proclaimed “Top G,” known for his hyper-masculine rhetoric, flashy cars, and legal troubles in Romania and the UK (charges he denies) – is hardly the poster boy for traditional family values. The man who once built an empire urging young men to reject “the matrix” has now shown up at a Kremlin-sponsored forum while Russia’s population shrinks and its economy leans heavily on oil and military production. One can only imagine the panel discussion: “How to hustle in a sanctioned economy while dodging indictments.”
Andrew Tate, the latest guest of honor of Russia, that stronghold of Christian traditional values. pic.twitter.com/DnlcGgujIV
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) June 2, 2026
The presence of such figures signals Moscow’s clear strategy: if mainstream Western business has largely abandoned Russia, why not court the anti-establishment crowd and anyone skeptical of the current transatlantic order?
The elephant (and the war) in the room
Despite the swanky setting and celebrity sheen, the war in Ukraine casts a long shadow. The forum opened just hours after Russian strikes on Kyiv. Ukraine is never mentioned in the official program, but one Russian participant anonymously told Reuters: “The question is: does this war end or do we stare into a much tougher future?”
Even as the forum opened on Wednesday, Russian authorities reported downing 30 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region – home to critical energy export infrastructure and a major oil refinery – while another 13 drones were intercepted en route to Moscow.
The Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum of 2026 (SPIEF 2026) in Russia has started with a very fiery keynote speech by the Ukrainian surprise guests. pic.twitter.com/VVIuGcQCO7
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) June 3, 2026
Russia’s economy has paid a heavy price. After impressive growth in the early Putin years, it has stagnated relative to its pre-Crimea trajectory. Officials now face a painful choice: keep funding the “Special Military Operation” at full throttle and risk recession, or dial it back and face whatever political consequences come with that.
A forum in search of friends
Some serious business players are still showing up. German retail billionaire Thomas Bruch attended discussions on German investment, and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman is there to talk oil with Putin’s team. But the overall vibe is one of isolation dressed up in designer suits and influencer glamour.
As Russia tries to project strength and openness, the guest list reads like a motley crew of contrarians, opportunists, and those willing to overlook or profit from – the ongoing conflict. Andrew Tate posing for photos in Moscow while preaching discipline and success adds an extra layer of surrealism to the whole affair.
In the end, Putin’s Davos may dazzle on the surface with its influencers and billionaires, but beneath the glitz lies a colder reality: an economy haunted by war, a demographic crisis, and a shrinking circle of genuine partners. Whether flashy guests and viral moments can change that trajectory remains to be seen. For now, it’s less “stable future” and more “interesting times.”
Caption: AI-generated illustrative image
Updated: June 3, 2026 - 07:23
