Grexit: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has arranged to meet Vladimir Putin on 18 June, fuelling fears that Athens might seek a deal with Moscow that would circumvent EU sanctions on Russia.
Athens is looking for a €5bn advance from Russia in return for becomeing a central hub for a Russia-Europe gas pipeline.The announcement of the meeting came as Tsipras told the Greek parliament that the EU was forcing “absurd” austerity measures on the cash-strapped country.
The PM accused the country’s creditors of doing all they could to scupper a cash-for- reforms deal that would give Greece a new injection of loans. He said the EU was pushing Athens towards default and an exit from the euro.“The creditors’ proposals are unrealistic and a step back in negotiations. The Greek government cannot agree to irrational proposals. Greek people should be proud because the government is not going to give into absurd proposals.”
Greece arranges 18 June meeting with Putin as ‘Grexit’ looms
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month
Source: ibtimes