Russian President Vladimir Putin has now started his keynote speech at the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) – Russia’s answer to Davos – which is in its third day.
The four-day event promises panel events as varied as they are numerous. But in between debates over Arctic tourism and Russia’s emerging social media influencers, the word “war” fails to appear on the agenda.
The spectre of the Russia-Ukraine conflict looms large over the forum, however, mainly as a result of many notable absentees.
This year, there is no representation from Europe or the United States.
Earlier this month, Putin barred journalists from “unfriendly countries” – his shorthand for nations that have allied themselves with Ukraine – from attending the forum.