Romania and Poland are in the potential crosshairs of Russian rockets because they are hosting parts of the USA missile defense shield that Moscow considers a threat to its national security, President Vladimir Putin warned Friday.
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Putin, while speaking on a trip to Athens, Greece, Friday said he will have to respond after the US deployed its missile defense in Romania and Poland.
Some elements of the USA missile shield, which Putin said was a direct threat to Russia’s security, are being installed in Poland, and some in Romania.
Greek officials said that the prospect of increased trade with Russian Federation could play a part in the country’s recovery efforts, as Greece remains in recession despite far-reaching austerity measures.
Putin said that Moscow hears Ankara’s statements of the intention to resume relations.
While Greece’s Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, told the news conference that sanctions are not productive.
Putin, who starts a two-day visit to Greece on Friday, also called for an energy alliance with Europe and the relaxation of visa rules for Russians travelling to the EU.
The Russian president is accompanied by Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. Women have been banned for over 1,000 years.
European Union leaders will next month discuss whether to renew sanctions on Russia’s banking, defence and energy sectors that expire in July.
Some 2,500 police were providing security for Putin’s visit in Athens, and much of the city center was blocked to motorists and public transport.
On Saturday, Putin will visit the autonomous Orthodox Christian monastic community of Mount Athos, joined by the head of Russia’s Othodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
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The Monastery, which is made up of a number of smaller buildings, was sponsored by the Russian Czars, but after the rise of communism the complex declined. Putin was last in Europe in June, when he visited Italy and held talks with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Pope Francis.
