Putin’s daughters and hawks dominate at ‘Russian Davos’ | Ukraine

At the prestigious economic forum in St. Petersburg, known as the “Russian Davos,” two mysterious women took the stage, widely believed to be Vladimir Putin’s adult daughters. Maria Vorontsova, a genetic research scientist, discussed “Bioeconomics,” while Katerina Tikhonova, a tech executive and acrobatic dancer, highlighted the defense industry’s role in Russian sovereignty.

Despite their elusive identities and being sanctioned by the west, Putin has never publicly acknowledged them as his daughters. This secrecy mirrors a larger trend of political elites’ children assuming influential roles in business and government, ensuring a smooth transition of power.

The forum also saw the daughter of former defense minister Sergei Shoigu, Ksenia Shoigu, and Roman Rotenberg, son of a Putin ally, discussing triathlon and opposing nepotism in sports, respectively. This shift towards dynastic influence has been dubbed “the rise of the princess” by political experts.

The event marked a departure from the past, attracting representatives from South America, Africa, India, and China, while excluding western delegations. The summit’s focus on far-right ideologies and aggressive stances highlighted a changing geopolitical landscape.

Despite facing extensive sanctions, Russia’s economy is expected to outpace other advanced economies, fueled by soaring oil and gas revenues. Putin’s confident address promised victory in Ukraine and emphasized Russia’s resilience amid global challenges.