Russian Orthodox Christians

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras held another two high-profile meetings with Russian leaders on Thursday, as he was received by Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev followed by an audience with Russian Patriach Kyril.

Economic ties were on the agenda during the first meeting, with Medvedev saying Moscow considers Athens "a significant partner with prospects".

The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Elmar Brok said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware that “he cannot help Greece financially.”

The MEP said that Russia “cannot restore the Greek standard of living and Greeks would not like the Russians’ standard of living,” speaking with state TV ARD and Bild newspaper.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras plan to discuss economic ties and the European Union's sanctions against Moscow when they meet for talks next week, a Kremlin spokesman said on Friday.

President Vladimir Putin has revealed the moment he says he gave the secret order for Russia's annexation of Crimea and described how Russian troops were ready to fight to rescue Ukraine's deposed, pro-Moscow president.
      

Cabinet "lacks support, condemned to dream alone"

BELGRADE -- Aleksandar Vucic wrote in an opinion piece published by the Belgrade-based daily Blic that "it seems the main problem is a lack of will to go to the future."

The prime minister noted that he "sometimes thinks Serbia's problems are neither in its past, nor in its present," and added:

Opposition leader Ilya Yashin has announced a rally paying tribute to Boris Nemtsov is to take place on Sunday, March 1, after a dispute with Moscow officials was settled.

Earlier, the municipality denied Nemtsov's fellow activists the right to reschedule a march which was planned to take place on Sunday, on the outskirts of Moscow. 

There have been various suggestions as to why opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was killed on Thursday evening in Moscow, 500 meters from the Kremlin. Here are some of them:

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesperson, has called the development a "100-percent provocation" and "a contract killing".

Russian PM  Dmitry  Medvedev warned that Kiev must pay for the natural gas which Gazprom has started delivering since yesterday, in areas occupied by pro-Russian separatists. This announcement follows a day after Ukrainian company Naftogaz announced that it will not be paying for this gas.

Belgrade continues on EU path following Putin's visit

Experts said Belgrade evaded Russian pressure to exercise greater sway in Serbia.

Russia President Vladimir Putin's visit to Belgrade last week showed that Russia aims to increase its presence and influence in Serbia, but officials and experts said Belgrade remains on the path of EU integration.

Sofia City Court has refused to allow the extradition of businessman and activist Nikolai Kobliakov to Russia.

Magistrates announced Kobliakov, whom Russian authorities have indicted over his alleged involvement in a EUR 1.2 M fraud, could be put in an aggravated situation if he returned to Russia due to his political convictions, the website News.bg reported.