The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the applications of Western entrepreneurs for the SPIEF

Western entrepreneurs apply to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), avoiding public statements about it. This was announced on May 21 by Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"Western businessmen send their applications and register. Again, they don't advertise it either. Maybe they don't even speak, but they do have some contacts on the sidelines of the forum," Birichevsky said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The first events of the SPIEF 2026 Petersburg Seasons Cultural Festival have become known

Vittorio Torrembini, President of the Association of Italian Entrepreneurs in Russia, announced on May 7 that the Italian business community would be widely represented at the SPIEF, despite pressure from the European Union (EU). The forum will be attended by about 5,000 people from Italy, including businessmen and experts.

The Politico newspaper reported on May 7 that European Parliament member Fernand Kartheiser is gathering supporters for a trip to Russia for the SPIEF. Kartheiser said it was only a matter of time before the EU's policy on dialogue with Russia changed. At the same time, he refused to name the legislators who expressed a desire to join the trip.