Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos(R) welcomes visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Palace in Athens, Greece, May 27, 2016. (Xinhua/Alkis Konstantinidis/pool)
MOSCOW, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia considers the current situation in its relations with Greece to be abnormal and hopes it will be resolved as soon as possible, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
"It was not Russia who initiated the steps that led to the deterioration of Russia-Greek relations. On the contrary, we are adherent to the course towards comprehensive cooperation with Greece," the ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted by Russian media as saying.
She said Moscow sees the situation as "abnormal and temporary" and is ready to show patience in order to restore comprehensive interaction with Athens.
In July, Greece expelled two Russian diplomats and barred two other people from entering the country, accusing them of attempting to bribe Greek officials.
The Russian Foreign Ministry later summoned Greek Ambassador to Moscow to protest the decision.