{"id":2611538,"date":"2026-06-06T17:11:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T21:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inside-putins-davos-candace-owens-war-and-more\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T17:12:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T21:12:59","slug":"inside-putins-davos-candace-owens-war-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inside-putins-davos-candace-owens-war-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Putin&#8217;s Davos: Candace Owens, war, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Finside-putins-davos-candace-owens-war-and-more%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2611538&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Russian President Vladimir Putin used the St. petersburg International Economic Forum-often called \u201cRussia\u2019s Davos\u201d-to project the strength and resilience of Russia\u2019s economy, praise troops fighting in Ukraine, and argue that BRICS is expanding its global influence. The event drew several high-profile Americans and other international figures.<\/p>\n<p>Simultaneously occurring, Ukraine carried out long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory near St. Petersburg shortly before and during the forum. Ukrainian officials said the attacks were close to the city where Putin was speaking.The strikes underscored Kyiv\u2019s ability to hit targets far from the front lines and were framed as part of an effort to pressure Russia into ending the war.<\/p>\n<p>Putin also dismissed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abramovich-appears-at-ukraine-russia-talks-in-istanbul\/\" title=\"Abramovich appears at ...-Russia talks in I...anbul\">direct peace talks<\/a> with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky,and his remarks at the forum prompted responses from Ukrainian officials,who argued that Putin\u2019s refusal showed Russia was in a weaker position. Economists cited by the article warn that Russia\u2019s wartime economy may be straining, with rising costs and taxation contributing to a \u201cdual economy\u201d where military production grows while civilian sectors stagnate.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Russian President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vladimir-putin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"79\">Vladimir Putin<\/a> hosted the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Saturday \u2014 often dubbed \u201cRussia\u2019s Davos\u201d \u2014 Ukraine launched another series of<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4597938\/ukraine-strike-st-petersburg-putin-economic-forum\/\"> long-range strikes<\/a> deep inside <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"80\">Russian<\/a> territory, targeting areas near St. Petersburg, hundreds of miles from the front lines of the war.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"82\">Ukrainian<\/a> officials, the attacks occurred just miles from the city where Putin was addressing foreign guests, including several Americans and one <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration <\/a>official.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4597938\/ukraine-strike-st-petersburg-putin-economic-forum\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ukraine strikes St. Petersburg as city hosts Putin\u2019s flagship economic forum<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4597811\/kuwait-bahrain-more-iran-missile-attack-increase\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Kuwait and Bahrain face more Iranian missiles as attacks increase<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4597227\/vance-uk-henry-nowak-murder\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Vance slams \u2018enraging\u2019 and \u2018tragic\u2019 Henry Nowak murder in UK<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The strikes came hours after Putin dismissed the prospect of direct peace talks with Ukrainian President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/volodymyr-zelensky\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"891\">Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a>, saying he saw little point in negotiating with Kyiv\u2019s leader. Instead, he used the forum to praise Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, telling them that the nation was proud of their service and had placed its hopes in them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the audience was predominantly Russian, several high-profile Americans attended the event, including conservative commentator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/candace-owens\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5659\">Candace Owens<\/a>, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts member Rodney Mims Cook Jr. \u2014 who is overseeing the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8767\">White House <\/a>ballroom redevelopment project \u2014 and actor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1300323\/report-us-actor-steven-seagal-performs-in-crimea\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"1300323\">Steven Seagal<\/a>. Social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate, who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/belarusian-authorities-raid-homes-and-offices-of-journalists-and-activists\/\" title=\"Belarusian Authorities Raid Homes And Offices Of Journali...s And Activi...s\">face criminal charges<\/a> in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/romania\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2062\">Romania<\/a> and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-kingdom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"547\">United Kingdom<\/a>, were also present.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Putin used the forum to tout Russia\u2019s economic resilience despite years of Western sanctions and the ongoing war. He highlighted the growing influence of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brics\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11642\">BRICS <\/a>bloc \u2014 Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several newer members \u2014 arguing that the group now accounts for roughly 40 percent of global GDP on a purchasing-power basis, compared with less than 30 percent for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/g7\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1005\">G7<\/a>. The remarks echoed one of the forum\u2019s central themes: the emergence of a multipolar world less dominated by Western powers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet economists continue to warn that Russia\u2019s wartime economy is showing signs of strain. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute for Strategic Studies recently <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iiss.org\/research-paper\/2026\/05\/the-coming-crisis-in-russias-political-economy\/\">wrote<\/a> that rising labor costs, inflation, and increased taxation are placing growing pressure on civilian sectors of the economy, creating what he described as a \u201cdual economy\u201d marked by <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >booming military production alongside civilian stagnation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Owens appeared on a panel focused on balancing parenthood and professional success. During the discussion, she said her visit to Russia had underscored similarities between Russians and Americans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy main conclusion would be that we are grappling with the same issues, West and East,\u201d Owens said, arguing that media narratives often exaggerate divisions between the two countries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the more unusual moments of the forum came during a question-and-answer session with Putin, when Cook praised St. Petersburg and relayed greetings from President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>. Putin responded, telling Cook to \u201cpass the puck back to President Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Putin also mocked Zelensky\u2019s public image, joking that Trump had publicly \u201cdisciplined\u201d the Ukrainian leader over his attire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPlaying Rambo all the time may work, but only up to a point,\u201d Putin quipped, before thanking Trump for the criticism and suggesting that \u201cthe work needs to continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The comments came as Ukraine demonstrated its ability to strike targets far from the battlefield. St. Petersburg sits roughly 620 miles from some of the war\u2019s active front lines, making the attacks a symbolic reminder that the conflict increasingly extends deep into Russian territory. Ukrainian officials framed the strikes as part of a broader effort to pressure Moscow into ending the war.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4595800\/zelensky-full-ceasefire-meeting-putin-open-letter\/\">Zelensky proposes \u2018full ceasefire\u2019 and face-to-face meeting with Putin in direct open letter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRussia must end its war and stop its attacks on life,\u201d Zelensky said, adding that any injustice against Ukraine would receive a response.<br \/>Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha argued that Putin\u2019s continued refusal to meet directly with Zelensky reflected a weakening Russian position.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBy refusing President Zelenskyy\u2019s offer for direct peace talks, Putin lost his chance to get out of his failed war,\u201d Sybiha said. \u201cThings will only get worse for Russia. Battlefield losses will continue to grow. Failures will get more humiliating.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Putin hosted Russia\u2019s \u201cDavos\u201d as Ukraine launched strikes near St. Petersburg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2611539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26156489340728.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[36140,12332,3733,50434],"class_list":["post-2611538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-candace-owens","tag-davos","tag-putin","tag-war-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26156489340728.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2611538"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611542,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611538\/revisions\/2611542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2611539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2611538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2611538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2611538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}