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Greek PM Alexis Tsipras calls for EU to work with Russia Greek PM Alexis Tsipras calls for EU to work with Russia
(about 1 hour later)
The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, has called for a “reset in relations” between Russia and the EU on the second day of a visit to Moscow that is being viewed with suspicion in Europe.The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, has called for a “reset in relations” between Russia and the EU on the second day of a visit to Moscow that is being viewed with suspicion in Europe.
Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations on Thursday, he told students: “Only together with Russia are we able to build a new architecture of security in Europe.”Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations on Thursday, he told students: “Only together with Russia are we able to build a new architecture of security in Europe.”
His words echo those of the Kremlin, which has long called for a new security alliance in Europe that would include Russia. Most EU countries, however, see Russia as part of the security problem rather than the solution, especially after the events in Ukraine over the past year. The Greek prime minister’s trip has worried many in the EU, who suspect the Kremlin of trying to create divisions within the alliance.His words echo those of the Kremlin, which has long called for a new security alliance in Europe that would include Russia. Most EU countries, however, see Russia as part of the security problem rather than the solution, especially after the events in Ukraine over the past year. The Greek prime minister’s trip has worried many in the EU, who suspect the Kremlin of trying to create divisions within the alliance.
After meeting with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the Kremlin on Wednesday, Tsipras dismissed criticism of his trip, reminding Europe that Greece is a sovereign country free to pursue whatever alliances it wishes. After meeting the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the Kremlin on Wednesday, Tsipras dismissed criticism of his trip, reminding Europe that Greece is a sovereign country free to pursue whatever alliances it wishes.
In Moscow, Tsipras has been welcomed with open arms, and was given an ancient Greek Orthodox religious icon as a gift by Putin. Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, accused Washington of trying to draw “new dividing lines” in Europe during his meeting with Tsipras on Thursday. Naryshkin thanked the Greek leader warmly for his visit, and praised Greece for standing up for itself. He said: “US foreign policy is proving destructive for many countries in many corners of the world, where it creates zones of chaos. Look at North Africa, the Middle East, and now even in Europe, in our brotherly land of Ukraine.” In Moscow, Tsipras has been welcomed with open arms, and was given an ancient Greek Orthodox religious icon as a gift by Putin. Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, accused Washington of trying to draw “new dividing lines” in Europe during his meeting with Tsipras on Thursday. Naryshkin thanked the Greek leader warmly for his visit, and praised Greece for standing up for itself. He said: “US foreign policy is proving destructive for many countries in many corners of the world, where it creates zones of chaos. Look at north Africa, the Middle East, and now even in Europe, in our brotherly land of Ukraine.”
Putin denied on Wednesday that he wanted to use Greece as a “Trojan horse”, but it is clear that the Kremlin is courting all forces in Europe that could potentially undermine the consensus in the EU over Russia, including the governments of Greece and Hungary, and far-right groupings such as France’s Front National.Putin denied on Wednesday that he wanted to use Greece as a “Trojan horse”, but it is clear that the Kremlin is courting all forces in Europe that could potentially undermine the consensus in the EU over Russia, including the governments of Greece and Hungary, and far-right groupings such as France’s Front National.
While there have been plenty of warm words about Russian-Greek friendship during the visit, there has been little in the way of specific deals announced. Putin insisted that Tsipras had “not asked for any help” financially, and Russia did not even make the widely-expected move to rescind import restrictions on Greek foodstuffs. While there have been plenty of warm words about Russian-Greek friendship during the visit, there has been little in the way of specific deals announced. Putin insisted that Tsipras had “not asked for any help” financially, and Russia did not even make the widely expected move to rescind import restrictions on Greek foodstuffs.
Putin said Moscow “could not make exceptions” for individual countries, and suggested it was time for the EU to end sanctions against Russia, which would in turn mean Russia could lift the food import bans it imposed in response.Putin said Moscow “could not make exceptions” for individual countries, and suggested it was time for the EU to end sanctions against Russia, which would in turn mean Russia could lift the food import bans it imposed in response.
Putin and Tsipras spoke about setting up “agricultural partnerships”, which some experts suggested might mean creating a loophole whereby Greek products could be sold on the Russian market without being classified as imports. Tsipras said on Wednesday the ban had resulted in a “sizeable wound” for the Greek economy.Putin and Tsipras spoke about setting up “agricultural partnerships”, which some experts suggested might mean creating a loophole whereby Greek products could be sold on the Russian market without being classified as imports. Tsipras said on Wednesday the ban had resulted in a “sizeable wound” for the Greek economy.
Greece on Thursday made a €459m (£334m) payment due to the IMF which had been subject to uncertainty, but in Moscow, Tsipras called for an “honourable compromise” which would allow Greece further access to international loans. On Thursday, Greece made a €459m (£334m) payment due to the IMF which had been subject to uncertainty, but in Moscow, Tsipras called for an “honourable compromise” that would allow Greece further access to international loans.
Before leaving Russia, he will also meet the Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, and the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Before leaving Russia, he will also meet the Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, and the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox church.
Whatever agreements are signed, Tsipras will not be leaving Moscow empty-handed thanks to Putin’s gift. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told news agencies that Putin had given Tsipras the icon, which depicts St Spyridon and St Nicholas, after the Kremlin talks on Wednesday. Peskov said the icon was stolen from Greece by the Nazis but had recently been purchased by a Russian businessman from the descendants of the officer who took it. Whatever agreements are signed, Tsipras will not be leaving Moscow empty-handed, thanks to Putin’s gift. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told news agencies that Putin had given Tsipras the icon, which depicts St Spyridon and St Nicholas, after the Kremlin talks on Wednesday. Peskov said the icon was stolen from Greece by the Nazis but had recently been purchased by a Russian businessman from the descendants of the officer who took it.