Greek PM Invited to Visit Russia in May

Greece's new radical left Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras indicated on Thursday he would visit Russia in May at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.

In a telephone call, "the Russian president congratulated the prime minister on the election of the new government... and invited him to Moscow on May 9", according to a statement issued by Tsipras' office.

Russia will on May 9 mark 70 years since victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, in an annual Victory Day parade that usually includes a display of military might.

"The prime minister emphasized that the fight against Nazism is very important" and indicated he would attend, the government statement added.

The Syriza party led by Tsipras, a former Communist, took office last week after sweeping to victory in January 25 elections.

It immediately set about trying to renegotiate Greece's hugely unpopular IMF-EU bailout, but also shows signs of wanting to cultivate closer ties to Russia.

Days after it came to power, Greece protested against an EU statement threatening further sanctions against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine.

The new foreign minister Nikos Kotzias later said that the EU should avoid "spasmodic" moves against Russia.