Putin: We hope to revive bilateral relations with Greece

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed on Monday his hope for the “revitalisation” of relations between Greece and Russia, based on the historically good ties between the two countries, during his meeting with the new Ambassador of Greece to Russia, Ekaterini Xagoraris.

At the same time, according to the TASS agency, Putin did not fail to express his concern about “the current situation in bilateral relations,” which worsened after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“One cannot but be concerned about the current situation in bilateral affairs. We still hope that the traditional ties of spiritual closeness, mutual sympathy and respect of the Russian and Greek peoples will eventually help to revive the mutually beneficial partnership between our countries, as well as our business relations,” the Russian president said during the ceremony accepting the credentials of newly appointed foreign ambassadors.

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine started, Greece, as one of the EU countries, imposed sanctions on Russia, and Russia added all EU countries to the list of “unfriendly nations”.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ decision to send military equipment to Ukraine has been challenged by all political parties besides the ruling New Democracy and KINAL.

The majority of Greek people did not approve of sending the weapons; according to an early poll, 63% of Greeks believe that the action puts relations with Russia at risk, while only 33% agree on providing Ukraine with military equipment.

Almost 1 in 2 (nearly 50%) of Greeks are of the view that all involved conflicting sides (i.e. the EU, US, Ukraine & Russia) share mutually a responsibility for the situation to some extent.

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