Andrei Maslov, Moscow's ambassador to Greece, explained the role his country had in the Greek Revolution of 1821.
As he stressed to OPEN TV, the establishment of the Friendly Society took place in his country.
He also made special reference to Tsar Alexander I, who appointed Ioannis Kapodistrias, who was then a member of the Tsar's court, as commissioner for his country's Greek affairs.
"It is no coincidence that the Friendly Society was founded and operated in Russia in 1814," the ambassador said.
"Being a great philhellene, the emperor Alexander I included in the duties of Ioannis Kapodistrias, who was in the Russian diplomatic service, the obligations of the person in charge of the affairs of Greece in the Russian court," Maslov said.
Noting that from the beginning of the Greek Revolution, Maslov said his country sought the Ottomans to abide by agreements that gave rights to its Orthodox inhabitants.
"However, the High Gate chose the path of escalation and in July 1821 the entire Russian diplomatic mission left Constantinople in protest," Maslov commented.
See what the ambassador said.
