THE RUSSIAN Federation’s President Vladimir Putin yesterday accepted President Demetris Christofias’ invitation to visit the island, extended over the phone.
The two presidents discussed “the conditions for further economic co-operation between the two countries” over a morning conversation, an official announcement said.
Christofias thanked Russia for last year’s loan of €2.5 billion, which Cyprus - shut out of international markets - obtained to finance its needs.
The government - which has asked for an EU bailout - has requested another €5.0 billion this year from Russia.
The state cannot support the island’s biggest banks that got hit by a Greek debt write-down and cannot recapitalise.
Christofias and Putin yesterday “reaffirmed their readiness to continue their co-operation”.
It was not clear when Putin would be visiting.