Russia and
Greece have common values, including Orthodoxy, Russian President
Vladimir Putin said ahead of his visit to Athens. Athens may help
Moscow break Europe’s unity against Russia.
By using
"religious diplomacy" Moscow wants to break Europe’s
unity against Russia because Greece has long opposed Western
anti-Russian sanctions, an article in the French newspaper Le Figaro
said.
The Russian
leader arrived in Greece for a two-day visit on Friday. During Friday
talks with Putin, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that
strengthening ties between Moscow and Athens is the "strategic
choice" of the Greek nation.
"Vladimir
Putin is the president of a country where the constitution proclaims
the separation of church and state. At the same time, he is a
religious person, taking into account his planned visit to Mount
Athos, one of the most important orthodox holy places," the
article read.
Vladimir
Putin’s cooperation with Tsipras may break the anti-Russian
unanimity within the European Union. Since he assumed his post
Tsipras has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia.
Moreover,
the Russian leader underscored that Russia and Greece have common
civilization values and Orthodox culture. This year, Russia will
celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Russian monastery on Mount
Athos. Russian Orthodox Church leader Kirill will join Vladimir Putin
during his visit to Athos.
For the
first time, Putin visited Athos during his visit to Greece in
September 2005. He was the first Russian leader to visit the holy
place.
The Russian
president and Patriarch Kirill have a common mission during their
visit to Greece, the article noted.
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