Moscow hopes Brussels will avoid 'negative scenarios' over Greece: Lavrov

(MOSCOW) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday expressed the hope that Brussels would avoid "negative scenarios" over Greece amid fears that the country is heading for a eurozone exit.

"Sergei Lavrov expressed his understanding of the actions by Alexis Tsipras's government and the hope that Brussels will not move to realise negative scenarios and Greece will be able to overcome the current problems," the foreign ministry said.

The statement came after Lavrov spoke by telephone to his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias.

Greece is hurtling towards an EU-IMF default and deep turmoil after the weekend breakdown of debt talks with creditors.

Greek PM Tsipras has called a referendum for July 5 on bailout proposals, hoping to secure a convincing "no" vote to strengthen his chances of securing a better deal on the bailout conditions.

European Commission head Jean Claude Juncker on Monday urged Greece to vote "yes", as a bank shutdown ordered by Athens left Greeks desperately scrambling for cash.

Tsipras spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum earlier this month, sealing a preliminary deal to build a gas pipeline with the sanctions-hit country.

Lavrov and Kotzias on Monday reaffirmed their countries' interest in building the link.