Russian President Vladimir Putin Aims to Renew Ties During Visit to Greece

Greece and Russia have flirted with the idea of Athens participating in a pipeline project that would bring Russian gas into Europe via Greece, though little progress was immediately expected.

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Greece has kept close relations with Moscow even after the EU imposed economic sanctions in the summer of 2014 in response to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia has denied Western charges that it supplied and directed the rebels.

"Greece has repeatedly said that the vicious circle of sanctions is not productive," the Greek Prime Minister said, but added Greece will stick to the commitments it has as a member of the European Union.