Tsipras Tells Putin EU Sanctions on Russia Are Economic War

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said they want to restore ties between their countries amid signs of a schism among some European Union states on whether to maintain sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

“Greece is a sovereign country with inalienable rights,” Tsipras said after meeting with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. The Greek premier said he disagrees with the logic of sanctions, which he described as “an economic war,” and called for “a new spring in ties between our countries.”