Nikos Kotzias

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed his optimism on Friday over the outcome of negotiations between the Greek government and the country's international creditors, speaking to his Cabinet on Friday.

During the five-hour meeting, which ended well after midnight, the ministers were briefed on the developments that occurred at the Eurogroup meeting and the EU Summit a day earlier.

In an interview to German magazine Spiegel on Monday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias talked about a number of issues, including the situation in Ukraine, the sanctions against Russia and Germany's role in Europe.

Read below excerpts of the interview on several issues.

On the European stance towards Russia

 Greek FM discusses confidence building measures with FYROM counterpart

It has been a week since last Sunday's electoral victory of the leftist Syriza in Greece. Yet the international media, including Turkey, are still trying to assess and analyze the policies and strategies of the new government. Greece's economic problems are naturally at the center of everybody's concern. 

EU extends existing sanctions against Russia

BRUSSELS -- EU sanctions against Russia due to expire in March will be extended until September, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said.

Greece's new government on Tuesday distanced itself from an EU call to consider expansion of the bloc's sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

The move could be setting the stage for possible friction with Greece's partners in the bloc over foreign policy issues in addition to disagreements over economic and financial policies.

Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras held a rare meeting on Monday to discuss “only national issues,” with both men agreeing that Greece’s foreign policy should not be affected by domestic political differences.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias used his appearance at a meeting of Med Group diplomats in Paris on Friday to stress the geopolitical importance of Greece?s eurozone partners helping to prevent the country?s economic collapse.