Tsipras Tells TASS: ‘Greece Can Work as a Bridge Linking the West and Russia’

On the eve of his first official visit to Russia, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras gave a lengthy, exclusive interview to TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman. Gusman asked Tsipras what hoped to accomplish during his visit, and Tsipras replied, “It is an opportunity to lay a new basis for Russian-Greek relations” which would include cooperation in the fields of “the economy, energy, trade, and agriculture…. I do believe that Greece as a member of the European Union can work as a bridge linking the West and Russia.”

On the question of sanctions, Tsipras reaffirmed his government’s opposition to sanctions in principle, and in particular against Russia.

“I disagree with the sanctions,” he said. “I believe that they are a road leading nowhere. I maintain that there must be a dialogue, there must be diplomacy. Solutions to major problems are to be looked for at the negotiating table. An economic war as a continuation of real war is a hopeless policy. I am for diplomacy…. The first time I participated in the EU summit, I addressed all of our partners and counterparts — both prime ministers and heads of state — in these words: ‘Could you please tell me: How do you see a future architecture of security in Europe? Do you see that architecture with Russia at the opposing end, or with Russia involved in the process of dialogue and understanding?’ I failed to get a reply from many. The way I see it, the answer is clear: a new architecture of security in Europe cannot but include Russia.”

Commenting on the celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory over the Nazis next month, Tsipras said, “This jubilee is of special importance to the Russian people and to the Greek people. As I have already told you, our peoples have forged fraternal relations, because they were fighting together at critically important moments in history. Greece and Russia are the two countries that paid more than the others with their blood in the struggle against Nazism. This is an integral part of our common basis, of the common roots of our countries and peoples sharing the same faith…. Let us see what can be done to make relations between the two countries and two peoples on crucial issues more meaningful. We share an excellent past of joint struggle and of walking along a common path, so we can have a worthy future.”

Tsipras warned that the celebration is also important because of the rise of fascism in Europe: “The threat of another rise of such dark forces, misanthropy, animosity among peoples, racism and other types of totalitarianism, is looming on Europe’s horizon again. A common front against the rise of fascism is an imperative of the day.”

In conclusion, Tsipras told Gusman, “I will have some very important meetings with President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Also, I will address a student audience at one of the central universities. From that standpoint I believe that the opportunities for exchanges and cooperation at the education level between Greek and Russian universities is a major aspect of strengthening our mutual relations. Common roots, common struggle, common faith and also culture. Your country has a very rich culture, indeed. And Greek culture is the cradle of the world civilization. I believe that we may have very meaningful ties and strengthen bonds between the two countries in these spheres.”

The full interview can be found here.