The Russian president is expected to answer questions on domestic policy, foreign affairs, and key global developments
Published 4 Jun, 2026 16:48
© Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet shortly with the heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The meeting, a traditional part of Putin’s SPIEF schedule, is being held at the Konstantinovsky Palace near St. Petersburg. According to presidential aide Yury Ushakov, the conversation will take place in a question-and-answer format and will focus on “current aspects of the domestic and foreign policy of the Russian Federation,” as well as major international developments.
Last year’s meeting included representatives of news agencies from the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Türkiye, China, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The annual forum, one of Russia’s key international business and investment events, is being held from June 3 to 6. Participants from more than 100 countries are attending, including political and business delegations.
The forum’s main plenary session will take place on Friday, where Putin is expected to deliver a major speech focusing on economic and political issues.
Follow RT’s live coverage of Putin’s meeting with international news agency chiefs.
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04 June 2026
17:20 GMT
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- 16:58 GMT
Answering the first question, from the head of Kazakhstan’s state TV and radio agency about the significance of his recent visit to the republic, Putin said ties with Astana are “developing successfully, on an upward trajectory,” citing a centuries‑long shared history and strong industrial and transport links. Putin particularly cited cooperation in energy, industry and space, and said the partnership is now expanding into nuclear power, with Russia set to help build a nuclear plant in Kazakhstan.
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04 June 2026
16:58 GMT
Answering the first question, from the head of Kazakhstan’s state TV and radio agency about the significance of his recent visit to the republic, Putin said ties with Astana are “developing successfully, on an upward trajectory,” citing a centuries‑long shared history and strong industrial and transport links. Putin particularly cited cooperation in energy, industry and space, and said the partnership is now expanding into nuclear power, with Russia set to help build a nuclear plant in Kazakhstan.
- 17:09 GMT
“We keep hearing people say that Russia made a ‘pivot’ toward Asia, but we did not pivot anywhere,” Putin told China’s Xinhua news agency. With China, “we are natural allies and partners. We are neighbors – you don’t choose your neighbors,” he said, stressing that the relationship is not directed against any third country and that a treaty signed 25 years ago laid the foundations for today’s “unprecedented” level of cooperation.
- 17:12 GMT
Putin described Chinese President Xi Jinping as his “old friend,” stressing that this is “not just a figure of speech.”
- 17:20 GMT
Russia will continue to invest in the Indian economy and has “promising, far‑reaching plans” for cooperation with New Delhi, Putin told Press Trust of India. He praised India as a “specially privileged strategic partner,” noting that bilateral trade could reach $100 billion “in the coming years,” and said India is free to build ties with any country it chooses, adding that US attempts to pressure New Delhi are “useless” and cause no problems for Russia–India relations.
- 17:20 GMT
Russian armed forces are advancing on the whole line of contact, Putin stressed, adding that “there is no place we are not advancing.” The problem for Ukraine’s armed forces is a critical lack of servicemen: the numbers have dropped by 100,000 people, he claimed.
“Monthly they lose about 40,000 people”, the president said, adding that Ukrainian officers capture people on the streets like animals.
More
