European Commission spokesperson Mina Andreeva refused to comment on Wednesday on Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ decision to visit Moscow on April 8.

“I have no comment on any visit by Greek officials to Russia,” Andreeva said, underlining that there is freedom of expression in the EU.

The EC spokesperson reiterated the statement made on the same issue by European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici, who said there was no reason why the Greek PM should not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and stressed that Russia “is not an alternative to Greece”.