US official reportedly to attend forum in Russia for first time in several years; Putin also expected

A US official will attend the International Economic Forum in Russia's St Petersburg for the first time in several years.

Source: European Pravda, citing RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

Details: The forum in Russia is expected to feature Rodney Mims Cook Jr, Chair of the US Commission of Fine Arts.

According to RIA Novosti, Cook said the forum's organising committee and the US Department of State have confirmed that he has been invited to attend the plenary session and a speech by Putin, and that he will take part.

Reports note that this will mark the first attendance by a US official at the event in several years.

For reference: The St Petersburg International Economic Forum is scheduled for 3-6 June.

Since January 2026, Rodney Mims Cook Jr has chaired the US Commission of Fine Arts. The body notably approved the controversial ballroom project ordered by US President Donald Trump, which is being built on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House.

Background:

• Earlier reports said MEP Fernand Kartheiser plans to travel to St Petersburg for the forum and had urged other MEPs to join him.
• About a year ago, Kartheiser travelled to Moscow to discuss peace and human rights. At the time, he was still a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, which later expelled him following the trip.

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