A Trump-appointed commissioner approving White House renovation projects attended Russia's economic forum in St. Petersburg.

Rodney Mims Cook Jr. was described by the Kremlin as the leader of the first US official delegation to attend the event in years, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was unaware of such a delegation.

Conservative podcaster Candace Owens and Hollywood actor Steven Seagal also attended the forum, which has seen Western participation dwindle since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.

Moscow —