The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine has publicly called on U.S. companies to boycott the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum over Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.
“Our [message] to those considering [attending the forum]: Russia is flouting [the] most fundamental principles of international law. Not time for 'business as usual,'” Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt wrote Monday on his Twitter account.
Pyatt also said that U.S. businesses could face risks to their finances and reputation for attending the forum. Russia in currently under U.S. and EU sanctions for its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula last year and support for separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is Russia's most prominent economic forum, attracting thousands of businessmen, economists and politicians from around the world each year. It will be held later this week, from June 18 to 20.
The event was caught up in the crossfire of international politics last year in the wake of the Crimean annexation, with the U.S. urging Western executives not to attend.
The Financial Times reported earlier this month that with no similar U.S. prohibition this year, more executives were planning to participate in this year's forum.
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