In an attempt to shed responsibility for the tragic political and economic decisions that turned Greece into a debt colony, former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hesitate to shift blame to Russia for the fact that the country was led into the memoranda even during his own administration, claiming that Russian president Vladimir Putin sent Greece to the international institutions. In his statements, Tsipras adds that the then government was forced to accept whatever Angela Merkel and Christine Lagarde offered, leaving clear insinuations about the limits on national sovereignty and the pressures the country faced from the international political stage.
The trips to Russia and the talks with Putin
Alexis Tsipras refers to his two visits to Russia, one in Moscow and one in Saint Petersburg, as well as to the broader contacts of the Greek side with the Russian government and Vladimir Putin during the first half of 2015. During his first visit to Moscow in April 2015, Tsipras notes that the Russian leadership had reservations about the potential benefits it might gain from the initiatives of the Greek government. For his part, he says he was fully prepared, aware of the international context, and aimed at strengthening Greece’s negotiating power against its creditors. The delegation included Nikos Kotzias, Giannis Isychos, Panos Lafazanis and Giorgos Valavanis, while Tsipras remarks that several members of the team seemed to believe they were traveling to the Soviet Union rather than contemporary Russia.
The former prime minister humorously describes the atmosphere, saying that Russian ministers addressed Dmitry Medvedev as comrade prime minister, leading him to imagine that Medvedev considered him a traveler in time. The discussions also focused on the Turkish Stream pipeline, for which the Russians were positive but cautious, avoiding committing to specific timelines. Vladimir Putin was mainly focused on the political situation in Greece, avoiding offering clear commitments.
A few months later, during his second visit to Saint Petersburg, Tsipras met again with Putin, discussing even the possibility of a symbolic investment of 200–300 million euros in Greek treasury bills. The Russian president’s response was direct. Greece needed billions, not millions, and it would be better for the money to be directed to orphanages. Putin urged Tsipras to make a deal with Merkel.
Telephone communication
After the referendum, there was also a telephone communication between the two leaders. Putin congratulated Tsipras, but urged him to decide on his next steps alone, noting that a viable agreement would be positive for everyone. Another moment described by Tsipras concerns a message he sent to Christine Lagarde during negotiations, asking for her help for a positive outcome. The response of the IMF chief was disarming. Whatever they give you, it is good to take it, accompanied by a reference to the sardines she was eating at a tavern in Luxembourg at that moment.
Finally, Tsipras also mentions his relationship with Panos Kammenos, as well as the stance of the late Fofi Gennimata, who was categorically opposed to a governing coalition because of Kammenos’s presence. The former prime minister recalls Gennimata’s line, You fooled us at the Presidential Mansion, replying with humor that early elections and currency devaluations are never announced in advance.
The truth
According to journalistic information, Russia was ready to support Greece with a specific plan if Schauble pushed the country out of the euro. As has been made known, Putin had proposed the following. If they expel you, Russia will print your new national currency in Russian facilities, which will be handled by the Bank of Greece. With this currency, the largest package of assets you have will be purchased, everything we ceded for 99 years, you will have unlimited credit from Russia in energy, meaning natural gas and oil which you will pay whenever you can, we will buy all your agricultural and industrial production.
However, Tsipras, like Mitsotakis, preferred the correct side of history.
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