Some 20,000 guests from more than 130 countries are expected to attend the three-day St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual gathering often described as the “Russian Davos”.This year’s event begins on Wednesday against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s prolonged estrangement from much of the West. Hours before delegates arrived in the city, Ukrainian drones struck energy facilities in and around St Petersburg, according to Russian and Ukrainian authorities. The attacks, which took place roughly 16km (10 miles) from the forum venue, temporarily disrupted operations at the city’s airport, though the conference is proceeding as planned.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe SPIEF has become far more than an economic conference for Moscow. As Western governments and many multinational companies have distanced themselves from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the forum has emerged as a showcase for the Kremlin’s efforts to deepen ties with countries in the Global South.Attendance has remained strong despite Russia’s diplomatic isolation in Europe and North America, with officials portraying the gathering as evidence that Moscow retains international partners beyond the West. Here’s a closer look at the event.What is the St Petersburg International Economic Forum?The first SPIEF was held in June 1997, during a period when post-Soviet Russia was seeking foreig …
