MOSCOW – Russia’s major economic conference, officially called the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, begins Wednesday with an unusual mix of American attendees drawn to Moscow’s stance against what they call “anti-wokery” and its promotion of “traditional values.”
Several notable U.S. figures are scheduled to participate in the event:
CANDACE OWENS
The conservative social media personality and podcast host, known for her sharp criticism of Israel, U.S. aid to Israel, feminism and other topics, will address a panel about managing parenting responsibilities in large families while maintaining career success. The 37-year-old currently faces a prominent defamation case in the U.S. brought by French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte over false statements Owens made claiming Brigitte was born male.
“I have been wanting to go to St Petersburg for a very, very long time just as a Christian in general just to see some of those cathedrals and churches,” Owens stated before her journey.
STEVEN SEAGAL
The former action movie star and martial arts practitioner has maintained a longtime appreciation for President Vladimir Putin, who granted him Russian citizenship in 2016. Seagal currently serves as a special representative for Russia’s Foreign Ministry focusing on humanitarian connections with the United States and Japan.
The frequent Russia visitor endorsed Moscow’s 2014 takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea region as “very reasonable,” became a member of a pro-Kremlin political organization in 2021, and has expressed support for Russia’s military action in Ukraine. He is scheduled to participate in a cultural discussion panel.
RODNEY MIMS COOK JR.
As Chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Cook is managing U.S. President Donald Trump’s disputed White House ballroom addition project and is leading the official American delegation to the conference.
According to the Kremlin, he represents the first U.S. official to participate since 2017/18, and the first since Russia deployed tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine in 2022. Cook will participate in discussions about U.S.-Russian cultural exchange.
Speaking to Russia’s TASS state news service before the conference, Cook explained he was attending as a cultural minister and Christian rather than in a political capacity. He mentioned his previous work helping restore Russian churches and on Tuesday presented a religious icon to a male monastery in St. Petersburg.
ANDREW AND TRISTAN TATE
Andrew Tate shared footage of himself and his brother receiving a musical Russian greeting at Moscow’s airport before the forum. However, the siblings, known for keeping their supporters uncertain about their plans, have not yet confirmed they will attend the conference.
Both have faced criminal investigations in Romania on allegations including human trafficking since December 2022, though neither case has reached trial. They also confront charges in Britain including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking. Both deny any wrongdoing.
The brothers are former kickboxers holding both U.S. and British citizenship. Andrew Tate, who describes himself as a misogynist, has attracted millions of online followers by advocating an extremely masculine lifestyle that critics argue involves degrading women.
