Putin moves Valdai forum from Sochi to Moscow over drone fears, FT reports
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has moved the annual Valdai forum from Sochi to Moscow at the last minute over security concerns, including the threat of drones, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the decision.
About 120 people invited to the event were informed of the venue change, which came at the insistence of Putin’s presidential security service, according to the FT.
Putin has not visited Sochi since last year’s Valdai forum in October 2025, the newspaper reported.
The annual forum brings together senior Russian officials and foreign journalists, academics and political experts. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin are among those expected to attend this year.