Russian President Vladimir Putin landed with a one-and-a-half hour
delay in Greece on Friday, May 27, for a two-day visit aimed to boost
economic and political relations between Athens and Moscow at a time
when Russia’s relations with Ankara and Brussels are strained.
Putin, who was accompanied with a high-level delegation, including
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Rosneft Chairman Igor
Sechin, is also expected to discuss trade and investment in
cash-strapped Greece, especially in energy and transport. Gazprom is
pushing plans to construct a pipeline carrying Russian gas via Turkey or
Bulgaria across Greece to Italy, utilising the IGI Poseidon pipeline.
“Greece cannot on its own ease EU’s resistance to Russian plans for a
southern route that bypasses Ukraine; so, the involvement of EDF
through Edison is encouraging news, as this project needs strong
backing, both at a political and business level,” Constantinos Filis,
director of research at Institute of International Relations, told New
Europe in Athens on Friday, referring to a memorandum signed by Greece’s
Public Gas Corporation (DEPA), Gazprom and Italy’s Edison in Rome on
February 24.
“But the fate of South Stream II also depends on whether Nord Stream
II will proceed and a viable solution over Ukraine is reached, with
Moscow’s participation. In such case, not totally abandoning Kiev,
having lessened Russia’s dependence by almost 50-60% compared with 2000,
might prove enough in securing Moscow’s interests,” Filis said. “Why
then promote a project – namely South Stream II – that has
complications, costs money and needs to overcome reservations expressed
by many Europeans?” he asked.
Moreover, Greece’s biggest refiner Hellenic Petroleum and Rosneft are
expected to reportedly sign a memorandum of understanding on May 27.
The timing of Putin’s visit to Greece – given the situation in Syria,
the deterioration of relations between Moscow and Ankara, following the
downing of the Russian warplane – has geopolitical significance.
Greece is located in a strategic geographical position where three
continents meet, Filis said. Russia’s reemergence in the Middle East
makes it necessary for it to seek footholds in the wider region.
“Compared with its neighbours, Greece is considered as a partner that is
and feels closer to Russia. Furthermore, the former’s disappointment
with the way its allies-creditors handle the financial crisis creates a
window of opportunity for third states, like Russia and China,” he said.
On the other hand, Filis reminded that Athens is attached to its
western partners economically, geopolitically and in terms of security
to such extent that it has little room to manoeuvre diplomatically. From
its part, Russia realises the obvious limitations to advancing its
relationship, especially with EU member-states that don’t have the
leverage of bigger states, he said.
Meanwhile, Greece wants to de-escalate EU-Russia tensions, as the
current situation hurts in many ways both the EU member states and
Moscow. “We can also attend a bloc of states requiring the ease of
sanctions towards Russia, given the latter’s more constructive role over
Ukraine recently. But both Greece and Russia are not willing to risk
their affairs and positions vis-à-vis major Western partners, including
the US, as they need them more than they need each other,” Filis said.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/in-athens-putin-puts-the-full-court-press-on-eu/