Geopolitically branded foods by RT raise eyebrows at St. Petersburg form From "Oreshnik" dessert to "Long Epstein Island” cocktail

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) kicked off this week in the Russian city, often  referred to as the “Northern Capital.” The country’s flagship economic gathering is held over three days and serves as a major platform for government officials, business leaders and experts from around the world to exchange views and explore new partnerships.

The event also provides a rare opportunity for foreign participants to engage directly with Russia’s public and private sectors — interactions that have become increasingly uncommon at other major international economic forums held in Europe and North America.

However, it was not only business discussions that drew attention this year. At a food and beverage stand operated by Russian state-funded broadcaster RT (formally known as Russia Today), visitors were greeted by a menu featuring a number of items with sometimes thinly veiled, other times overt geopolitical references, as Caliber.Az reports.

Among the offerings were a “Long Epstein Island” cocktail, a dessert sharing its name with Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, and still mineral water marketed as “European Water (without gas).” Sparkling water, meanwhile, was sold under the label “Nord Stream 3 (with gas).”

Other menu items included an “Aperol Merz” cocktail and "Vanilla Emmanuel Raf Coffee", in reference to the German and French leaders. “Greenland Tea” — described on the menu as being “high in demand” — and a “Tough” Americano coffee accompanied by an image of US President Donald Trump were also offered.

Photos of the menu quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread discussion over the organizers’ unconventional approach to the forum’s culinary offerings.

Critics were particularly quick to condemn RT’s decision to reference the Oreshnik missile, which has been used in devastating strikes against Ukraine. The inclusion of the missile’s name on a dessert menu drew backlash from users who viewed it as trivializing a weapon associated with an ongoing conflict. The latest Russian attack involving the ballistic missile occured on May 23 on Kyiv and the surrounding areas, marking the third publicly known use of the weapon since 2022.

The forum opened on June 3 in St. Petersburg and will run through June 6. Organizers expect around 20,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including government officials, business executives and members of the expert community.

The centerpiece of the event is the plenary session scheduled for June 5. Alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, speakers are expected to include Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.
 
By Nazrin Sadigova