Tsipras calls Putin in wake of referendum result


The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin received a phone call from Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose government is racing against the clock to reach a bailout deal with creditors. The two leaders discussed the results of Sunday's referendum in Greece and "several questions about the further development of Russian-Greek cooperation," the Kremlin said. During Monday's call, the Kremlin said Putin "expressed support for the Greek people in overcoming the difficulties facing their country." The head of VTB, Russia's second-largest state bank, said over the weekend that Russia might be interested in buying Greek assets if they were to be privatized. VTB head Andrei Kostin said Russia might be interested in ports, airports, railways or companies in the energy sector but that Russia would be unlikely to give Greece loans.