Russia’s Lavrov wants swift Greek resolution

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says it would be wrong to say his country is enjoying the spectacle of Europe struggling to deal with Greece's debt crisis.

He said Russia has no interest in "throwing kindling onto this fire," and wants to see a quick resolution acceptable to all sides.

Russia, he said, is interested in a "strong, functioning, economically growing European Union.

Any idea that Moscow is rubbing its hands over the crisis European partners is wrong, he added.

"It is a distortion of our position and our interests," he said.

Relations between the European Union and Russia are at a low ebb as both sides have exchanged tit-for-tat sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

There has been talk in recent weeks that Russia may help Greece out financially but that has been dismissed by the Kremlin.

[AP]