Putin Headed to Greece for Talks

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Russia's president is travelling to financially struggling Greece for a visit that will include a trip to a secluded, male-only Christian Orthodox sanctuary in the country's north.

Vladimir Putin is to discuss energy cooperation and Russian investments in Greece during a meeting Friday with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Some 2,500 police will provide security for Putin's visit in Athens, and much of the city center will be blocked off to motorists and public transport.

On Saturday, Putin will visit the Monastery of St. Panteleimon, which is inhabited by Russian monks. It's set in the 1,000-year-old Mount Athos autonomous monastic community, from which women are banned.

He will be accompanied by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who arrived in northern Greece on Friday.

(KA)