Russia denies agreement with Greece on gas project
Russia denies that it has reached a deal with Greece on a gas pipeline, under which Moscow would provide Athens with an advance payment of up to five billion euros.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said energy cooperation issues were raised at recent talks in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, adding that the two leaders did not reach any agreements on any advance payment to Greece.
“No, there has not been [an agreement]. Putin said himself at a press conference that nobody asked for assistance,” Peskov said in an interview with the Business FM radio channel on Saturday.
“Of course, the issue of energy cooperation was raised. Naturally, at the end of high-level talks, we agreed that all matters regarding cooperation in the energy sector will be examined on the expert level, but Russia has not promised financial assistance because no one has asked,” he added.
The Russian official made the remarks in reaction to a report by German magazine, Der Spiegel, which claimed that Moscow has agreed to pay Athens 3-5 billion euros in advance under a pipeline project that would bring Russian gas to Europe via Turkey and Greece.
Greek and Russian officials said earlier that an energy deal would be signed on Greece’s joining of the Turkish stream project in a matter of days, but no exact date or particular terms were given.
Tsipras had expressed interest in joining the project during his visit to Moscow earlier this month.
The Greek government is yet to comment on the report.
AR/HMV/SS
Tens of thousands displaced as floods engulf Kazakhstan, Russia
Russia: UN meeting on Iran retaliation ‘display of hypocrisy’
Iran, Russian foreign ministers warn against further escalation in region
VIDEO | Erdogan breaks silence, backs Iran’s reprisal attack on Israel
IRGC warns of 'tit-for-tat' retaliation if Israel attacks Iran's nuclear facilities
Israel retreats, delays striking back at Iran after US call: Sources
Qatar says reassessing role as mediator in Gaza truce talks
EU to expand sanctions on Iran over retaliation against Israel
'US, West must abandon double standards towards Israel's acts of terror'
April 17: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
UN Security Council to vote on full Palestinian UN membership on Friday
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
