Greek leader Tsipras did not ask for financial aid during talks, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the leader of Greece did not ask for financial aid during an official visit, easing speculation that Athens might use its relations with Moscow to gain advantage in bailout talks with European creditors.

Greece is facing a deadline in talks with its European creditors, which want it to agree to a list of reforms before they provide it with more rescue loans. Greece will run out of funds within weeks without more help.

There was speculation that Alexis Tsipras could try to improve relations with Russia to gain bargaining power in those talks. The European Union and the US have hit Russia with sanctions over its role in the Ukrainian conflict and diplomats were worried that Greece might weaken their common stance against Moscow.

Asked whether Tsipras sought financial aid during their talks, Putin said: "The Greek party has not asked us for any aid."

The Greek prime minister said "Greece is a sovereign nation with an irrevocable right to conduct a multi-facet foreign policy."

Tsipras also indicated that his trip should not be interpreted as an affront to the West.