Valdai International Discussion Club

The international discussion club "Waldai" is an annual meeting of Russian and foreign journalists, politicians and scientists that takes place every autumn. The conference deals with Russia's foreign and domestic policy, with a different theme each year. An integral part of the conference is a speech and a press conference by the Russian President. The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.