Key Russian economic forum opens today

SAINT PETERSBURG, May 22 (AFP): President Vladimir Putin's showcase economic forum opened in his hometown on Thursday amid worrying times for Russia's economy and pullouts by Western business chiefs over the crisis in Ukraine.

Fresh from signing a huge $400 billion gas deal this week with China, Putin will give the keynote address today (Friday) at the annual Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Touted as Russia's answer to the gathering of business heavyweights in Davos, the forum this year includes top Russian officials, hundreds of the country's business leaders and foreign CEOs including BP chief Bob Dudley and Total's Christophe de Margerie. But more than anything this year's forum will be marked by the absence of more than 30 top Western executives who reportedly pulled out as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.

The United States and European Union have stepped up pressure on Moscow over its annexation of Crimea in March and alleged support for pro-Russian rebels who have seized control of parts of eastern Ukraine.

Sanctions including visa bans and asset freezes have been imposed on dozens of Russian officials and the West has warned of wider-ranging penalities if the situation in Ukraine does not improve.

Among those who cancelled plans to attend this year's forum were top executives from Deutsche Bank, Siemens, Goldman Sachs, PepsiCo and Morgan Stanley, US and Russian media reported.

A White House spokeswoman said earlier this month it would "send an inappropriate message" for senior US businessmen to attend the forum.

The New York Times has reported that senior White House officials personally contacted several business leaders to urge them not to travel to Saint Petersburg.

Russian officials have downplayed the cancellations, with Deputy Economy Minister Sergei Belyakov earlier this month jokingly thanking the White House for the "good advertisement".