Overview

• Journalists from unfriendly countries banned from covering St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
• Forum is a key event for Russia to showcase development and attract investors
• Putin often holds roundtable discussions with international news executives at the forum
• Russia designates many countries, including the US, Canada, EU members, and Australia, as unfriendly in connection with sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine.
• The forum has been held since 1997 and is considered Russia's answer to the World Economic Forum held in Davos.