MOSCOW, Russia: Journalists from countries that are "unfriendly" to Russia will be banned from covering this year's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The ban covers countries that have imposed sanctions or criticized Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which include the U.S., Canada, European Union member states and Australia.

For decades, the economic forum, to be held from 14th to 17th June, has been used by Russia to showcase its economy and attract investors, and has often used the occasion to hold roundtable discussions with global news executives.

Last week, the state news agency Tass reported Peskov as saying, "Yes, indeed. It was decided not to accredit media outlets from unfriendly countries to the SPIEF this time."