Putin blasts West on first trip to EU country this year

Athens, May 28 

On his first trip to a European Union country this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply criticised western policy toward Moscow, describing a newly-expanded US missile defence system as a threat to his country's security.

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

Earlier this month, the US programme was declared operation 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,” Putin said.

"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.

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,” 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, but business has been hit by the sanctions. Greece is also keen to reverse a slump in tourist arrivals from Russia and attract interest from Russian companies in the planned privatisation of rail and other transport services. — AP