The Kremlin hopes for Putin’s participation in the March congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

The Kremlin expects that Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) on March 16, its spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“As for the March event of the RSPP, you know that it takes place once a year, traditionally the president takes part. We can hope that such communication will take place this year as well. Of course, this is important, the current moment is quite unprecedented, and of course the agenda can be quite extensive,” he said.

The Kremlin spokesman also added that the president communicates quite regularly with the heads of business associations and representatives of big business.

At the briefing, journalists also asked Peskov whether the Kremlin plans to involve big business in meeting the needs of the armed forces, or to adjust production taking into account the special operation.

“Here I can’t say anything yet, I’ll leave it without comment. If such questions are asked at the meeting, then the topics will be discussed accordingly,” Peskov replied.

Russian entrepreneurs, he added, actively participate in various programs to support the Russian Armed Forces, donate funds and help in the restoration of equipment and the treatment of injured soldiers.

The fact that Putin will take part in the congress of the RSPP, one of the three main business associations, on March 16 reported “Vedomosti”. Interlocutors close to the RSPP note that the congress will be held on March 16–18 at the Moscow House of Music. And a source close to the AP adds that the president is likely to attend a meeting of top executives on the first day of the event. Putin can talk separately with the bureau of the board of the RSPP, says a Vedomosti source, noting that over the year business has accumulated issues that “require direct dialogue with the authorities”: “For entrepreneurs, this is a chance to speak out on pressing problems and propose ways to solve them.”

The President has not communicated with business associations since the beginning of the military operation in Ukraine. The last such meeting with “representatives of Russian business circles” (and not a specific organization) took place on February 24, 2022, after Putin announced the start of hostilities.