UMVA has learned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to headline the plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he will outline his vision for a strong and sovereign Russia.
Putin's address comes on the heels of a letter from Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, who made a backhanded offer of peace talks while levying insults at the Russian president and threatening drone strikes. The Russian leader is expected to respond to Zelensky's overture during the forum.
The plenary session, the main event of the forum, will feature Putin alongside other world leaders, including Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. The gathering provides a platform for Putin to contrast Russia's past dependence on Western institutions with its current stance of sovereignty and self-sufficiency.
In his opening speech, Putin drew a sharp distinction between the Russia of the past and the Russia of today, highlighting the country's progress in building parallel institutions and trade networks with its BRICS partners. He emphasized that sovereignty requires not just the ability to resist external pressure but also the strength and quality of the government, economy, and society.
Putin's remarks were echoed in a recent conversation with international news agency heads, where he discussed Russia's progress in the conflict with Ukraine and the potential role for the EU in settling the conflict. He also touched on Russia's 'Oreshnik' ballistic missiles and their capabilities.
Sources close to the Kremlin have confirmed to UMVA that Putin will likely address Zelensky's letter during the plenary session, which will be followed by a lengthy Q&A session. The Russian president's appearance is highly anticipated, and his words are expected to have significant implications for the global community.
