Tension flared between Greece and Germany again on Tuesday after comments made by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on the role of the IMF not being “constructive” in Greece. The comments made during the Greek PM’s interview with public broadcaster ERT TV, prompted the reaction of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble who dampened the government’s hopes of disassociating the IMF from Greek finances.

“The pitcher has to go to the well as often as necessary until it breaks,” said Schaeuble, quoting a German saying, during his meeting with the press on the sidelines of the EcoFin conference.

On its part, the Greek government wants to leave the IMF program. Such a situation would have both political and economic gains, especially bearing in mind that the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government believes that the IMF has “unreasonable demands”.

Athens responded to Schaeuble’s comments. “We remind that the Greek government is responsible for deciding what is in the country’s interests,” said government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili. “We expect the German Finance Ministry to separate its stance from the unacceptably tough stance of the IMF. Europe should and is able to solve its problems on its own.”