Determined to take Greek-Russian relations out of “the deep freeze”, a defiant Alexis Tsipras flew to Moscow on Tuesday for talks with Vladimir Putin, ratcheting up the pressure on western creditors keeping debt-stricken Greece afloat.
After speculation that Russia’s president might make an offer of financial help that the Greek prime minister will find hard to turn down, officials said the controversial trip should be seen through the prism of Athens’ leftist-led government doing “what is best for Greece”.
They described the visit as being both “politically friendly and economically promising”.
The two leaders, who hold formal talks and a working lunch on Wednesday, are expected to sign an array of accords, including a three-year plan to strengthen ties economically and commercially. » | Helena Smith in Athens and Alec Luhn in Moscow | Tuesday, April 07, 2015
