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Greek PM Alexis Tsipras begins talks in Moscow with Vladimir Putin Greek PM Alexis Tsipras begins talks in Moscow with Vladimir Putin
(about 1 hour later)
The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, has begun talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as Athens insisted it wwould not seek financial aid from Russia. The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, has begun talks with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, as Athens insisted it wwould not seek financial aid from Russia.
Related: When Tsipras meets Putin: an opportunity for fruit diplomacy?
The meeting in the Kremlin comes a day before cash-strapped Greece is scheduled to make a €458m (£333m) payment to the International Monetary Fund. Tsipras arrived in Moscow on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning he laid flowers during a ceremony at a monument commemorating the second world war outside the Kremlin. He is scheduled to make a joint appearance with Putin at a press conference in the afternoon, following conclusion of their talks.The meeting in the Kremlin comes a day before cash-strapped Greece is scheduled to make a €458m (£333m) payment to the International Monetary Fund. Tsipras arrived in Moscow on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning he laid flowers during a ceremony at a monument commemorating the second world war outside the Kremlin. He is scheduled to make a joint appearance with Putin at a press conference in the afternoon, following conclusion of their talks.
A Greek government official told Reuters on Wednesday that Tsipras will not seek funds in his meeting with the Russian president. “We have not asked for financial aid. We want to solve our issues of debt ... within the eurozone.”A Greek government official told Reuters on Wednesday that Tsipras will not seek funds in his meeting with the Russian president. “We have not asked for financial aid. We want to solve our issues of debt ... within the eurozone.”
The official added: “Greece knows what to do within the EU framework but every country also has the sovereign right to look after and improve its bilateral relations.” The official added: “Greece knows what to do within the EU framework, but every country also has the sovereign right to look after and improve its bilateral relations.”
Related: Greece's Tsipras meets Putin in Moscow - live updatesRelated: Greece's Tsipras meets Putin in Moscow - live updates
In Tsipras, Moscow sees a potential ally on a continent where it has few of them. The wooing of the new Greek government is part of a strategy to undermine the consensus in Europe that Russia’s actions in Crimea and Ukraine require a tough, sustained response. Already, Moscow has reached out to European far right groups, which includes giving a €9m loan to France’s Front National. In Tsipras, Moscow sees a potential ally on a continent where it has few of them. The wooing of the new Greek government is part of a strategy to undermine the consensus in Europe that Russia’s actions in Crimea and Ukraine require a tough, sustained response. Already, Moscow has reached out to European far-right groups, which includes giving a €9m loan to France’s Front National.
On the eve of his visit, Tsipras reiterated his opposition to EU sanctions against Russia, calling them “a road to nowhere” in an interview with TASS news agency. On the eve of his visit, Tsipras reiterated his opposition to EU sanctions against Russia, calling them “a road to nowhere” in an interview with Tass news agency.
He added: “I support the point of view that there is a need for a dialogue and diplomacy, we should sit down at the negotiating table and find the solutions to major problems.”He added: “I support the point of view that there is a need for a dialogue and diplomacy, we should sit down at the negotiating table and find the solutions to major problems.”
His Syriza party has made no secret of its sympathy for Moscow, while a leaked correspondence has suggested ties between top Syriza figures, including the Greek foreign minister, Nikos Kotzias, and Alexander Dugin, a Russian neo-fascist thinker who advocates the philosophy of “Eurasianism” and has backed Russia going further in Ukraine.His Syriza party has made no secret of its sympathy for Moscow, while a leaked correspondence has suggested ties between top Syriza figures, including the Greek foreign minister, Nikos Kotzias, and Alexander Dugin, a Russian neo-fascist thinker who advocates the philosophy of “Eurasianism” and has backed Russia going further in Ukraine.
Analysts suggested it was unlikely that the Greeks would go as far as vetoing EU sanctions against Russia, but were instead playing both sides with the Moscow visit, warning Europe that Greece’s support cannot be taken for granted.Analysts suggested it was unlikely that the Greeks would go as far as vetoing EU sanctions against Russia, but were instead playing both sides with the Moscow visit, warning Europe that Greece’s support cannot be taken for granted.
In Brussels, the visit will nevertheless be watched with trepidation, for fear the Russians could make Tsipras an offer he cannot refuse.In Brussels, the visit will nevertheless be watched with trepidation, for fear the Russians could make Tsipras an offer he cannot refuse.
A Russian government source told Kommersant newspaper this week that Moscow is ready to offer Athens new loans but only if there were “reciprocal moves” whereby Greece sold Russia particular assets. The source did not specify which particular assets Russia was interested in, though often Moscow has suggested buying up energy or rail infrastructure in return for lines of credit or reduced gas prices. A Russian government source told Kommersant newspaper this week that Moscow is ready to offer Athens new loans, but only if there were “reciprocal moves” whereby Greece sold Russia particular assets. The source did not specify which particular assets Russia was interested in, though often Moscow has suggested buying up energy or rail infrastructure in return for lines of credit or reduced gas prices.
Greece is reliant on Russian natural gas, and has also said it is willing to support a new Russian gas pipeline through Turkey. But with falling oil prices and western sanctions combining to put Moscow in a difficult economic situation, the prospect of large financial aid being extended to Greece is unlikely. The most substantial result of the visit could be the lifting of a fruit embargo which has put a dent in Greece’s agricultural exports. Moscow banned the import of a number of food items from EU countries in response to western sanctions. Greece is reliant on Russian natural gas, and has also said it is willing to support a new Russian gas pipeline through Turkey. But with falling oil prices and western sanctions combining to put Moscow in a difficult economic situation, the prospect of large financial aid being extended to Greece is unlikely. The most substantial result of the visit could be the lifting of a fruit embargo that has put a dent in Greece’s agricultural exports. Moscow banned the import of a number of food items from EU countries in response to western sanctions.
The Greek government said this week it was owed €279bn by Germany in reparations for the Nazi occupation during the second world war, an issue Berlin said was legally resolved years ago.The Greek government said this week it was owed €279bn by Germany in reparations for the Nazi occupation during the second world war, an issue Berlin said was legally resolved years ago.
Tsipras is likely to be back in Moscow next month for the Kremlin’s lavish celebrations to mark 70 years since the end of the war in Europe. Many European leaders are to snub the event owing to Russia’s current policies in Ukraine, leaving the possibility of Putin sharing the podium with mainly autocratic leaders from around the world.Tsipras is likely to be back in Moscow next month for the Kremlin’s lavish celebrations to mark 70 years since the end of the war in Europe. Many European leaders are to snub the event owing to Russia’s current policies in Ukraine, leaving the possibility of Putin sharing the podium with mainly autocratic leaders from around the world.
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has said she will not attend, but will visit Moscow a day later to lay a wreath for the war dead.The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has said she will not attend, but will visit Moscow a day later to lay a wreath for the war dead.