Chicago – June 04, 2026
An eclectic group of American figures appeared at Russia’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the nation’s flagship economic event often dubbed “Russia’s Davos.” The gathering drew conservative personalities attracted to Moscow’s opposition to “wokeness” and advocacy for “traditional values”.
Among attendees were former Hollywood action star Steven Seagal, who holds Russian citizenship and serves as a special envoy for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, and prominent right-wing podcaster Candace Owens. Owens spoke on a panel about balancing parenthood with a successful career.
The most notable participant was Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, who oversees President Donald Trump’s controversial White House ballroom extension. According to the Kremlin, Cook is the first American official to attend SPIEF since 2018, participating in a session on U.S.-Russia cultural dialogue. He stated he attended as a representative of American culture and a Christian, not as a politician.
The forum opened June 3 under the shadow of Ukrainian drone strikes on St. Petersburg, yet drew delegations from approximately 130 nations.
