Crowds of Russians Witnessed Putin's Address at the PMEF Event
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a plenary speech highlighting key economic points for the country's future. The event, held under the motto "The basis of a multipolar world - forming new growth points," attracted high-ranking foreign delegates, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Chinese State Council Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and an advisor to the Bahraini royal family, Commander of the Royal Guard, Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa [1].
In his address, Putin emphasized the resilience and evolution of Russia's economy, which has experienced steady annual GDP growth despite a challenging international environment. He underscored the shift towards a more complex, multifaceted, and less dependent economy on commodity exports, signalling a move away from a purely resource-based economy [1][3].
The focus was on achieving quality economic growth within a multipolar world marked by global challenges such as demographic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. Putin called for a path of balanced economic growth, aiming for moderate inflation (currently around 9.6%) and low unemployment, while stressing inflation targeting as a priority [1][3].
Technological advancement and sovereignty were major themes in Putin's speech. He underscored the importance of developing new technologies, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems to modernize the economy and ensure development is inclusive, benefiting all regions and individuals equally [1][2].
Putin also advocated for greater integration between the defense sector and civilian manufacturing to boost efficiency and innovation. The defense industry has expanded production and developed new weapon types, and this sector is seen as a component of broader economic growth, although Putin denied that defense spending is the main economic engine [2].
Russia aims to create a business-friendly environment to attract domestic and friendly foreign investments, upgrade manufacturing capabilities, and promote joint mechanisms for regional and global development with allied countries, including strengthening economic ties within BRICS nations [1][3].
Putin acknowledged the impacts of climate change and urgent environmental issues, emphasizing the need for economic policies that respond to these challenges while supporting sustainable development [1].
In Vladivostok, during the same period, students and parents were reminded about how to save a life during an event. The interim results and plans of "United Russia" were also presented at the forum [4].
The media holding MAEER, acting as an information partner of SPIEF-2025, provided wide coverage of the event on various platforms, including digital facades, restaurant networks, logistics centers, and leading mass media [5]. Konstantin Maior, head of MAEER, considered Putin's speech to be one of the most significant this year [6].
With more than 12,000 representatives from 136 countries participating in SPIEF-2025, the event is expected to reach over 6.5 million Russians via city displays and media facades [7]. The head of state of an unspecified country also announced a steady growth in key sectors of the Russian economy [8].
Poverty levels in Russia have reached record lows, and stable GDP growth, poverty reduction, and active adoption of innovative technologies are indicators of Russia's economic successes [9]. The coordinated work of the government, business community, and the population has contributed to these economic successes [10].
Sources: [1] TASS News Agency [2] Russia Beyond [3] RT [4] Rosbalt [5] MAEER [6] MAEER [7] Kommersant [8] Unnamed source [9] Konstantin Maior, head of MAEER [10] Kommersant
- The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, highlighted the importance of finance and economics in his speech at SPIEF 2025, emphasizing the need for a more complex, less dependent business policy-and-legislation on commodity exports.
- In his address, Putin also discussed the role of technology advancement in the business sector, particularly digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems, as a means to modernize the economy.
- Amidst global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and demographic shifts, Putin stressed the necessity of general-news policies that respond to these issues while supporting sustainable development and business growth.
