Alexis Tsipras flies to Moscow amid speculation of bailout from Putin (Greek Prime Minister)

The Guardian ^ | 7 April 2015 | Helena Smith and Alec Luhn

[McGruff]

The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, began a controversial visit to Moscow on Tuesday as his debt-stricken country raced to meet tomorrow’s deadline for the repayment of a €450m loan to the International Monetary Fund.

With Greece suffering its worst credit crisis in modern times, the defiant leader flew into Russia amid speculation that president Vladimir Putin might make an offer of financial help he would find hard to resist.

[McGruff]

Sounds like a scene from The Russian Godfather.

[ConservativeMan55]

bump

[Socon-Econ]

If Putin is dumb enough to bail out failing leftist regimes, Obama should tell him, “Make my day.”

[McGruff]

The Kremlin meeting is also expected to focus on EU sanctions against Russia, which Tsipras has condemned as a “road to nowhere”. On Tuesday, Russia’s Kommersant business daily reported that a discount on gas deliveries was likely to be top of the agenda. Cash-strapped Greece imports 57% of its gas supplies from Russia.

[GraceG]

The Russian bear senses weakness in the EU and Greece is the loose stone in the wall....

[StoneWall Brigade]

This could get Serious a bail out from Russia doesn’t come without a price.

[Greysard]

If Putin is dumb enough to bail out failing leftist regimes, Obama should tell him, “Make my day.”

A well structured bailout is nothing but a purchase of security deposits. What if Putin wants a Navy base in Greece? He can have it now.

[Tzimisce]

The Russians don’t want to pour their money down an empty hole either.

What are the Greeks going to offer them for the bailout?

[C19fan]

Pan-Slavism more important than a Commie begging for help from a Fascist.

[Defiant]

I didn’t know Russia had any money.

[ctdonath2]

“What are the Greeks going to offer them for the bailout?”

A warm-water naval base right next to the EU, perhaps?

[notdownwidems]

I didn’t know Russia had any money

They don't...this is all blather; Mad Vlad may offer him a few rubles but it will come at a heavy price in giveaways to the Russian bear. More likely the Greek commie will regret ever talking to the Russian commie when the true bill comes due.

[snoringbear]

“If Putin is dumb enough to bail out failing leftist regimes, Obama should tell him, “Make my day.””

Umm, I see Tsipras and Greeks in general as dumb if they should make a Faustian deal with Putin. The “certain assets” that Putin would be willing to consider in exchange for a price break on gas would primly be permanent bases and ports for the Russian Air Force, Army and Navy. And, once in place, Greece will become a Russian satellite as they will never get them out. But, stupid is as stupid does :)

[Socon-Econ]

If Putin is dumb enough to bail out failing leftist regimes, Obama should tell him, “Make my day.”
............
A well structured bailout is nothing but a purchase of security deposits. What if Putin wants a Navy base in Greece? He can have it now.

**********
I don’t buy the view that we have to try to outbid Putin, or to threaten the recipient of Putin’s largesse, whenever a failing commie regime goes to him for help. If the Greeks don’t want to save themselves, we cannot force them to do so; but we can build-up our military and forge alliances with dependable nations.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

This should be interesting. The Greeks have nowhere to go.

The EU: "Pay your bill"

Greece: "We are broke"

EU: "We'll lend you some more money"

Greece: "What difference does it make? We are broke and can never repay you. Hey, Vlad how about we talk?

[blueunicorn6]

Go ahead and teach all your neighbors a lesson by inviting a cobra into your house.

[familyop]

No loss then. Can’t lose loyalty that we never had.

[mac_truck]

[familyop]

"A warm-water naval base right next to the EU, perhaps?"

Surrounded by a watchful and more well informed EU, maybe.

[9thLife]

Russia can’t possibly lose.