Greek DM: We'll do our utmost to end Russia sanctions

Greek DM Panos Kammenos completed an official visit to Moscow on Wednesday, days after a much-hyped visit to the Kremlin by leftist Greek PM Alexis Tsipras.

After a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, Kammenos said defence deals signed between Athens and Moscow would continue.

Asked about the issue of EU sanctions against Russia for its perceived support of pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine, and if the issue affects Greek-Russian relations, Kammenos said that "from the very first moment, the (Greek) government's position is against the sanctions slapped against Russia. The Greek government did its utmost so that these sanctions end, for the good of all?"

The head of the small rightist, anti-austerity party that is the junior party in the radical leftist Greek government, Kammenos didn't hide his opposition to the sanctions.

"The sanctions taken by Europe against Russia hurt Europe as well. Greece also paid a heavy price with these sanctions. We will try with all our power to help in order to stop the sanctions for the good of Russia and the European Union," he said.