David Cameron compares Russia to Nazi Germany on eve of Putin meeting

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9. Russia welcome at Davos summit

MOSCOW/LONDON — Russia’s international isolation over the conflict in Ukraine does not include the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

As the US and European Union impose asset freezes and visa bans on some of his closest allies, President Vladimir Putin has received his annual invitation to the event in January, according to three people familiar with the situation.

Russia’s presence at Davos shows no sign of ending after Mr Putin initiated the biggest international crisis since the Cold War with the seizure of the Crimean Peninsula. Russian companies throw some of the glitziest parties at the ski resort and two banks under sanctions, OAO VTB Bank and OAO Sberbank, are "strategic partners" of the World Economic Forum.

Some attendees say there is no point in shying away from inviting potentially controversial guests. This year, Davos hosted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose country is subject to sanctions over its nuclear programme.

http://www.bdlive.co.za/world/europe/2014/11/14/russia-welcome-at-davos-summit