Peskov at SPIEF: Russia ready to welcome Western business back

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is open to the return of Western business and should welcome foreign investment.

The statement was made at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

“Any economy should develop with the maximum inflow of foreign investment. Besides, it brings competition,” Peskov explained, responding to a question from RIA Novosti at the forum.

At the same time, the results of a survey by the Russian-German Foreign Trade Chamber (AHK) were published, with more than 260 companies taking part. The majority of them expressed support for continuing operations in Russia.

Among respondents with German capital, 65% believe that Germany should sooner resume purchases of Russian oil and gas. Another 31% suggest waiting for the conflict in Ukraine to end.