ST. PETERBSURG, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting his signature economic conference, and there is plenty of talk about reform — both fiscal and political.But there’s little suggestion of compromise on the key issue contributing to the country’s economic pain.In fact, the ongoing fighting in Ukraine is being mentioned only in passing and often in fuzzy terms at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.The annexation of Crimea, which started an escalating wave of international sanctions and travel bans against Putin’s government, wasn’t mentioned at the event’s showcase panel discussions, including one with former British prime minister Tony Blair.How it …read more
Source: National Newswatch
