The U.S. official in charge of President Trump’s contentious White House ballroom project is leading an American delegation to Russia’s flagship economic conference, a move that highlights Trump’s continuing outreach to Moscow even as Russian forces escalate their war on Ukraine.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, is attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), often called “Russia’s Davos.” The event runs from Wednesday through Saturday and is expected to draw roughly 20,000 participants.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, told senators Wednesday he was unaware of the delegation. “I’m aware of the event. I know they were hosting one, but I don’t think it would have been a high-level official,” Rubio said when pressed on why the U.S. sent representatives.
Cook told Russian media in May that both SPIEF’s organizing committee and the State Department cleared his participation, according to The Moscow Times. The Hill sought comment from the State Department and the Commission of Fine Arts.
Notable attendees include Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan—under scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers for violent repression during recent elections—and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman is heading Riyadh’s delegation as a guest of honor.
Cook was appointed by Trump to chair the commission in January and quickly approved the president’s plans for a ballroom extension at the White House. The project has drawn intense scrutiny for altering the historic East Wing without a vetted approval process and raising cost concerns. Senate Republicans on Wednesday stripped $1 billion in taxpayer-funded security upgrades for the ballroom from proposed legislation.
The Kremlin noted Cook’s attendance marks the first time a U.S. official has participated in the forum since 2017–2018, nearly four years before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine launched hundreds of drones at Russian targets Wednesday, reportedly near St. Petersburg, as the forum got underway—demonstrating Kyiv’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russia. The Russian army has intensified its attacks, firing 73 missiles and 656 drones overnight Monday, killing dozens and wounding hundreds across Ukraine. That assault followed a week of relentless bombardment with over 2,000 attack drones, 1,500 guided bombs, and 108 missiles.
The GOP-controlled House on Wednesday advanced legislation authorizing additional support for Ukraine, including munitions and sanctions against Russia. The bill is expected to stall in the Senate, but lawmakers who backed it—including some Republicans—said it sends a key signal of majority support for Kyiv at a time when Trump is warming relations with Putin. “It’s between Ukraine or Putin, I choose Ukraine,” Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) told The Hill ahead of the vote.
