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

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

[Defiant]

What your chart tells me is that Russia’s debt ratio is low relative to the western European and US economies, which is good, but it doesn’t tell me how much money Russia has that it could be doling out to Greece. You can be poor AND without debt.

[caww]

Russia had officially requested Greece to allocate land for the construction of military base on its territory....This was reported by the Polish edition Rzeczpospolita....Russian plans to deploy military bases in Greece may be associated with Moscow's attempts to increase its influence and presence throughout the Balkans...supposedly?....Putin DID 'pay' Greece....a $2.5 billion Russian loan.

[mac_truck]

[mac_truck]

[caww]

[caww]

What are the Greeks going to offer them for the bailout?
Same thing Ukraine’s going to offer the US...military bases.

[Defiant]

Is the left side of this chart in millions or billions?

[mac_truck]

The left side is billions...

[caww]

Putin's been charming Greece for military bases long before the new President...

Russian ships had always had access to Greece ports. This deal the first time access had been spelled out in a separate accord.......

Russia restructured a 2.5 billion euro ($2.8 billion) loan to Greek Cyprus it signed in 2011,...Now the new deal wiht new President cuts the annual interest rate to 2.5 percent from 4.5 percent and the redemption period to 2018-2021.

[Defiant]

OK. So they have reserves of 1/8th of the annual US federal budget. How much could they realistically have available to give to Greece, given that oil revenues are way down and they are having trouble with existing obligations?

[snoringbear]

All you say is true. But, Putin will raise the ante this go around. He will own Tsipras. Putin will say dance for me boy. And, Tsipras will meekly say “yes Master” - and start dancing.

[caww]

Tsipras can be played by any for a time..he'll yield to the highest bidder...but he hasn't discovered his Mojo yet in the power house of International Affairs...but he will

[snoringbear]

Maybe. But, the other EU are growing weary of Greece’s constant whining and panhandling. If the Greeks want to get in bed with Russia or China, so be it.

[caww]

That's right .... Germany said they had no problem with Greece leaving the EU...and others in the EU likewise when he started throwing his weight around. BUT....Tsipras has a long way to go if he thinks he can out manuver the EU and Russian players who have years of Foreign Policy Diplomacy under their belts. He's just getting in the game so no matter what he wants he's going to find himself played by the masters....he's still the new kid on the block.

[snoringbear]

Yeah agree. Btw, I’m Greek-American, father came over on a boat during the depression, processed through Ellis Island. My family and I have visited relatives over there a couple of times. If you’ve ever been to that part of the world you know there’s nothing they would rather do than o’pine about politics. They are especially interested in the American view. I’ve spent many a night eating a late dinner followed by much drinking and philosophizing into the wee hours of the morning. I can tell you that Greeks consider themselves faultless. They’ve got someone else to blame for their every affliction, down to an ingrown toe nail. It’s always “you” or “they” or miserable circumstances. Personally I’ve grown tired of their crap.