Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Athens in 2021 with Greek diplomatic services already starting the process for his visit.
Putin has chosen to come to the Greek capital to celebrate the 200 year anniversary since the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, according to diplomatic sources.
Invitations to celebrate 200 years since the beginning of the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire was not only sent to the Kremlin, but also to other global leaders.
Putin's upcoming visit is expected to be announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who is expected to be in Athens on October 26.
A few days ago, the Russian embassy in Athens pointed out in a message on Social Media that it recognizes the legal right of Greece under international law to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles.
Posting from its official Twitter account, the Russian Embassy in Athens reiterated its firm support for the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea (1982), noting the sovereign right of states to territorial waters of up to 12 nautical miles.
“Russia’s position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is the starting point. We consider the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea the ‘cornerstone’ of international maritime agreements. The Convention explicitly provides for the sovereign right of all States to have territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles and sets out the principles and methods for delimiting the [Exclusive Economic Zone]. This also applies to the Mediterranean.”