Tsipras to hold phone call with Russia Putin, as Greece delays IMF payment


Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold telephone talks at 1000 GMT to discuss cooperation in business and energy sectors, a Greek government official said on Friday.The talks come hours before Tsipras addresses parliament on the state of negotiations with lenders for aid amid a fierce backlash from his party over a proposal offered by the euro zone and the International Monetary Fund.Russia has been speculated as a potential source of funding for Greece if it fails to reach a deal with EU and IMF lenders. Athens has denied plans to turn to Moscow for help.