According to the same sources, the Russians are proposing a barter agreement between their country and Greece, by which the latter can pay for advanced weapons with agricultural produce.

According to an unnamed high ranking Russian official: “The bad economic situation of Greece will not allow her to proceed with the purchase of expensive western planes, whereas we can provide her with 4++ generation fighters and they can pay us in agricultural products. As things stand for Greece, the Russian market is the only one that can provide her with high performance planes at a low cost of acquisition and low maintenance costs that will allow her to safeguard her interests in the region.”

Questioned on how it would be possible for a NATO member to purchase Russian fighters, the response was: “In the same way as they purchased Russian anti-aircraft systems and ships.”

Greece has mostly Russian anti-aircraft systems that range from the TOR M-1 to the S-300.

Prior to Putin’s visit to Greece, it was officially stated that Russia would be willing to militarily assist Greece.