Russian President Vladimir Putin today received a congratulatory telephone call upon his re-election from Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and invited the Greek PM to visit Moscow.

The Kremlin issued a detailed press release on the conversation:

«The Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic sincerely congratulated Vladimir Putin on winning the presidential election. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to further promote Russian-Greek cooperation. They also noted with satisfaction the increasing cooperation in the trade, economic and humanitarian areas. At Alexis Tsipras’ request, the President of Russia informed him about the recent telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. Current issues of European security and the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region were discussed. The two leaders also discussed the situation following the UK’s allegations against Russia after the incident in Salisbury. Vladimir Putin invited Alexis Tsipras to visit Russia.»

The Greek PM was in Brussels for the ongoing EU summit, where he made sharp remarks denouncing Turkey’s behaviour towards Greece and Cyprus, and demanding that Ankara abide by international law.

A draft of the summit’s conclusions, obtained by Bloomberg, included a strong rebuke to Ankara for its moves to block offshore oil and gas exploration around member-state Cyprus, and for its exceptionally aggressive posture in the Aegean.

Neither Athens nor Moscow made known whether the two leaders discussed the captivity in a Turkish jail of two army officers, although Putin is among the few major world leaders who retains close and cordial ties with the Erdogan regime, and consequently leverage, should he choose to assist efforts for the release of the two Greeks.

in.gr

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