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Western presence falls at Putin forum

Cape Argus

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June 19, 2025

WESTERNERS were set to be few and far between at Vladimir Putin’s landmark business forum, when an emblem of East-West ties, which was to kick off yesterday in the Russian president's home city of Saint Petersburg.

Despite US President Donald Trump pushing a rapprochement with Putin, Russia’s offensive on Ukraine means Americans and Europeans will largely shun the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) - once dubbed “Russia’s Davos” - for a fourth year running.

Some 20 000 guests from 140 countries are set to take part in the forum both online and in person, according to the Kremlin.

Among the states sending high-level government figures are the likes of China, Vietnam, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso.

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