As we already know it, the Greek said ‘No’ to their international creditors on the bailout proposal by a resounding 61.31 percent vote.
But now, as lenders and E.U. states seek a plan B in the Greek crisis, all eyes are on Russia since President Vladimir Putin came with a surprise announcement that his country was backing the results in the Greek referendum.
At noon, the Russian President and the Greek Prime minister Alexis Tsipras had a brief phone conversation. Putin expressed his country’s support in overcoming the “difficulties” that may occur in Greece following the public vote.
“Putin expressed support for the Greek people in overcoming the difficulties facing the country,”
the Russian President’s office said this morning.
According to Moscow’s statement the conversation was initiated by the Greek Prime Minister, and both parties had discussed “the further development of Russian-Greek cooperation.”
Yet, if you may think that Russia is planning on throwing a financial lifesaver to Greece, you should think again.
Hours later, Kremlin announced that the country was hoping for a Greek compromise with creditors and diverted any questions about a potential financial help for Greece into Athens’ direction.
Europe is restless, as well, and countries are divided. Portugal said that Greece should stay in the Eurozone and international creditors should stop imposing austerity as a solution to a financial crisis.
Big phrama companies announced that they would not halt the supply of medications to Greek hospitals despite a 1.1 billion euro debt owed by hospitals and state-backed health insurance companies.
The European Central Bank (ECB), one of the country’s major creditors along with Germany and the Washington DC-based International Monetary Fund, said that it would discuss today the emergency cash injection it had promised to the Greek banks. Hours later, the ECB added that it would not grant financial support to the Greek government because financing states is against its statutory policy.
European Commission said that the Greek vote made even wider the gap between the country and other European community states. Italy believes that the Greek debt crisis should be solved during this week’s euro zone meetings.
The French President declines that he had been in talks with the Greek Prime minister early this morning. Spain is also supporting Greece in staying in the euro zone. Additionally, the country’s Economy Minister said that Spain was ready to start negotiations for a third bailout.
Germany made a similar statement but added that Greece has not met yet the conditions for such talks.
Image Source: Business Insider
