Greek leader Alexis Tsipras in Moscow for Putin talks

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visited Russia on 7-8 April 2015 to discuss various aspects of developing Greece-Russia relations.

These included Greece's economic situation, foreign and energy policies, as well as Russia's relations with the European Union. In particular, Greek authorities had suggested that Russia might be an alternative source of financial assistance, should negotiations with the EU not succeed.

It was also reported that Russia considered lifting some of the sanctions it had imposed on vegetables and other products coming from EU countries, but only for Greece, Cyprus and Hungary.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Tsipras says Greece and Cyprus could be ‘EU bridge to Russia’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/tsipras-says-greece-and-cyprus-could-be-eu-bridge-to-russia/

Kathimerini, 07.04.15: PM heads to Moscow with broad agenda http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_07/04/2015_548917

EUObserver, 07.04.15: Greece ready to pay debts, but flirting with Moscow https://euobserver.com/news/128248

The Economist, 07.04.15: Greece and Russia: Mr Tsipras goes to Moscow http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21647887-alexis-tsipras-probably-does-not-expect-russia-solve-his-euro-zone-woes-mr-tsipras-goes-moscow

The Local.de, 08.04.15: German fear of Greece-Russia pact grows http://www.thelocal.de/20150408/german-fear-of-greece-russia-pact-grows

The Guardian, 08.04.15: When Tsipras meets Putin: an opportunity for fruit diplomacy? http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/08/greece-russia-tsipras-putin

The Guardian, 08.04.15: Alexis Tsipras flies to Moscow amid speculation of bailout from Putin http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/07/alexis-tsipras-flies-to-moscow-speculation-greek-bailout-vladimir-putin

Deutsche Welle, 08.04.15: Is Russia cozying up to Greece? http://dw.de/p/1F3tz

The Moscow Times, 07.04.15: Greece and Russia: The Myths and the Reality http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/greece-and-russia-the-myths-and-the-reality/518757.html

Euronews, 08.04.15: Tsipras meets Putin in bid to strengthen Greek-Russian ties http://www.euronews.com/2015/04/08/tsipras-meets-putin-in-bid-to-strengthen-greek-russian-ties/

Deutsche Welle, 08.04.15: Tsipras plays the Russian card http://dw.de/p/1F3um

The New York Times [Opinion], 07.04.15: Greece Should Be Wary of Mr. Putin http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/opinion/greece-should-be-wary-of-mr-putin.html

Sputnik International, 08.04.15: Moscow and Athens Forge New Alliance – Greek Media http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150408/1020604512.html

Sputnik International, 08.04.15: European Parliament Calls on Tsipras 'Not to Jeopardize' EU Unity http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150408/1020597889.html

EurActiv, 08.04.15: Tsipras to see Putin, with controversial agenda http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/tsipras-see-putin-controversial-agenda-313607

EurActiv, 08.04.15: Tsipras calls for end to EU sanctions on Russia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/tsipras-calls-end-eu-sanctions-russia-313629

Kathimerini, 08.04.15: Greece did not ask Russia for aid, says Putin http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_08/04/2015_548943

ESO: Background information: Greece wants to pay back IMF loan http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-wants-to-pay-back-imf-loan/

Carnegie Europe: Judy Dempsey's Strategic Europe, 08.04.15: The Lure of Moscow: Tsipras Visits Putin http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=59702&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonvKXNZKXonjHpfsX56OotXq%2B2lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4AS8tkI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFSrnAMbBwzLgFWhI%3D

Kathimerini, 08.04.15: Tsipras-Putin talks yield pledge for better ties but no results http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_08/04/2015_548963

Sputnik International, 08.04.15: Athens Could Use Russian-Greek Ventures' Revenue to Pay Off Debt - Putin http://sputniknews.com/business/20150408/1020624048.html

EUObserver, 08.04.15: Tsipras and Putin hail 'new Spring' in relations https://euobserver.com/foreign/128265

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 09.04.15: Moscow lures Athens with investments http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER161232-Moscow-lures-Athens-with-investments

EUObserver, 10.04.15: Spain criticises Greece on Russia https://euobserver.com/foreign/128283

Russia: President of Russia: News, 08.04.15: Meeting with Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/49217

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 08.04.15: Of Trojan horses and realpolitik: The Tsipras-Putin meeting and its broader implications https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/vassilis-petsinis/of-trojan-horses-and-realpolitik-tsiprasputin-meeting-and-its-b

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 14.04.15: The EU has reason to be concerned over relations between Greece and Russia http://bit.ly/1cqmgO0

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 15.04.15: Press-clipping the Tsipras-Putin meeting: the early impressions https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/vassilis-petsinis/pressclipping-tsiprasputin-meeting-early-impressions

---