Putin visits Greece, blasts West

Russian leader raps missile system in first trip to an EU nation this year

ATHENS, Greece — On his first trip to a European Union country this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday sharply criticized Western policy toward Moscow, describing a newly expanded U.S. missile defense system as a threat to his country’s security.

Mr. Putin arrived in Athens on a two-day visit and emerged from talks with the Greek government to lash the United States and NATO allies, also accusing them of stifling trade and energy cooperation with Russia.

Earlier this month, the U.S. program was declared operational at a site in Romania, drawing an angry reaction from Russia. NATO says the system is purely defensive and a response to a growing capability of ballistic missiles globally.

“We keep hearing that it’s not a threat against Russia, that it’s not aimed at Russia,” Mr. Putin said late Friday.

“Of course it’s a threat to us. It can easily be modified to have an aggressive capability ... We are obliged to take action in response to guarantee our security,” he said, without elaborating.

Mr. Putin has made only a handful of visits to EU countries since sanctions were imposed on Moscow two years ago in response to the Ukraine crisis and Russia’s annexation of Crimea following an internationally disputed referendum.

“The issue of Crimea is over forever, based on the will of the people who live there. Russia will never negotiate on this issue,” Mr. Putin said.

Athens is keen to maintain its traditionally close ties with post-Soviet Russia, despite its participation in EU sanctions against Moscow, and a gas pipeline project designed to limit Russia’s regional energy dominance.

Russia is one of Greece’s main trading partners.

Alexis Tsipras, the Greek prime minister, noted that Mr. Putin’s visit comes just days after Athens reached a deal with eurozone bailout creditors to continue rescue loans, under a deal that expands power of a state privatization committee.

“Improving relations with Russia on multiple levels is a strategic choice,” Mr. Tsipras said. “Of course ... when the disagreements exceed our powers, we can act a positive influence within the EU and NATO.”

Today, Mr. Putin will visit the autonomous Orthodox Christian monastic community of Mount Athos, joined by the head of Russia’s Othodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

Outside Parliament on Friday, a small group of demonstrators protested against Russian policies.

Protester Savvas Kleanthous said violence against gay people in Russia goes largely unpunished.