Russia: Russia will support Greece financially "if needed" - Dvorkovich

Russia will continue to support the Greek government in overcoming the nation's financial crisis, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich said in St. Petersburg on Friday. "There are personal relationships being built now between our present government and our Greek partners," he added. Although being supportive of the "solutions that Greece and our European friends and partners propose," Dvorkovich stated that "if financial assistance is needed we will consider that." Since Syriza's election, Greek authorities and the institutions have been negotiating for five months to unlock the €7.2 billion ($8bn) of rescue funds it needs to pay the IMF. The bailout extension ends on June 30. If Greece fails to meet the deadline, it faces default and exit from the Eurozone. The quarrel between Greece and its creditors has made the prospect of a deal being struck at Thursday's Eurozone finance ministers' meeting less likely.