AP PHOTOS: Despite dark times, Russian economic forum shines

Jun 18, 2022, 11:31 AM | Updated: 11:38 pm

Participants are reflected in the ceiling as they enter a hall at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

(AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

A participant watches as Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Putin said at Russia's showpiece investment conference Friday that the country's economy will overcome "reckless and insane" sanctions, while condemning the United States for acting like "God's own messengers on planet Earth." (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Participants and journalists gather in a hall at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia came under a wide array of sanctions after sending troops into Ukraine in February. Hundreds of foreign companies also suspended operations in Russia or pulled out of the country entirely. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Participants work during a break on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, Margarita Simonyan, the head of the Russian television channel RT, left, and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attend a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (Sergei Bobylev/ Pool via AP)

A participant takes a selfie as Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022, with the words reading "25 years together". Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Ekaterina Gordon, Russian TV and radio presenter, singer, and public figure gestures while speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (Alexander Ryumin/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool via AP)

An assistant makes up Vitaly Mutko, the chief executive officer of Dom.RF, a state-owned company involved in the mortgage and realty market preparing him for an interview at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova speaks on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (Alexander Demyanchuk/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool via AP)

Participants take selfies as Dunyasha, anthropomorphic female cashier robot serves clients on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Governor of the Tula Region Alexei Dyumin, left, and Denis Pushilin, the leader of the Donetsk People's Republic shake hands after signing an agreement on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov smiles speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (Vyacheslav Prokofiev/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool via AP)

Russian pop singer Philipp Kirkorov, center, tests a massage chair at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Participants watch Russian President Vladimir Putin's addressing a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

The head of Russian Central Bank Elvira Nabiulina, center, Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, right, and Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin attend a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian gas monopoly Gazprom head, Alexei Miller gestures while speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool via AP)

A participant yawns waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin speech at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

A participant looks at his smartphone waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

The First Vice-Chairman of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment Mohammad Younus Momand waits to listen Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, Margarita Simonyan, the head of the Russian television channel RT, center, and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attend a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he addresses a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 17, 2022. Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — The bright colors and huge video screens in the corridors of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum gave the showpiece gathering the air of an upscale Russian mall — except that everything was open.

Russia’s annual event to tout its investment opportunities this year was shadowed by the stern international sanctions imposed on the country after the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine four months earlier, and by the extensive disapproval of foreign businesses, which have suspended operations or pulled out entirely, leaving Russian shopping centers pocked with dark, shuttered stores.

Some speakers acknowledged that the country suffered a strong economic blow. Others optimistically spun the data — inflation once projected to be 17% this year now is projected to be 16%.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was, as expected, the star of the four-day show. Although the giant video screens occasionally caught his face in comical expressions, Putin’s famous energy and stamina were on full display in Friday’s address to the plenary session and lengthy question-and-answer session.

He said Russia’s fighting in Ukraine is fully justified; the sanctions are reckless and insane; and Russia’s determination and inventiveness will revive the economy.

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