“Russia would consider giving financial assistance to Greece”, was the eyebrow-raising quip by the Russian Minister of Finance to CNBC on Thursday.

Although EZ member Greece has not asked Russia for any such assistance, he did not rule out an agreement between the two countries, if the current leftist government was to request aid.

“If such request is submitted to the Russian government, we will definitely consider it, but we will take into account all the factors of our bilateral relationships between Russia and Greece, so that is all I can say, If it is submitted we will consider it”, Anton Siluanov told CNBC.

As the US news network pointed out, the statement came two days after Greece’s new left-wing government distanced itself from calls – by all the other EU states — to add sanctions against Russia, indicating that Greece could be looking east to Russia for support.

Cyprus had reportedly asked for a major Russian loan prior to the “haircut” of bank accounts on the island republic, but none was forthcoming.

Siluanov wasn’t asked if such assistance would be disbursed in currently free-falling rubles or in oil, gas.