Kremlin says Laos will be main guest at economic forum, no word on Kim Jong Un

(Patria) - Russia announced that the main foreign guest at the economic forum in Vladivostok next week will be the Vice President of Laos, and that it "has nothing to say" about a possible visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Reuters reported.

The New York Times reported on Monday that Kim would meet President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East this month, fueling speculation that he might visit during the forum, which runs from Sunday to Wednesday.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the high-profile foreign guest at the event would be
Laotian Vice President Pany Yathotou, with whom Putin will hold a separate bilateral meeting.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing is also expected to attend, he said. The annual forum aims to develop economic cooperation in the region and encourage foreign
investment. Past participants have included the Japanese Prime Minister and the Chinese President, but Western sanctions on Moscow have reduced the participation of foreign countries in such events.

Last year, after Russia sent its troops into Ukraine, among the most prominent guests were the prime ministers of Armenia, Mongolia, and Myanmar, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the forum via video link.