Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed in an article published Thursday that the EU would not be a global player without his country's help as he prepared to visit the bloc for the first time in almost a year.
Putin, who starts a 2-day visit to Greece on Friday, also called for an energy alliance with Europe and the relaxation of visa rules for Russians travelling to the EU.
"A rightful position of the Old Continent in the new international realities can only be secured by combining capacities of all European countries, including Russia," Putin said in the article in Greek daily Kathimerini.
"We believe our relations with the EU do not face any problems that we cannot solve. To get back to a multifaceted partnership, the deficient approach of one-sided relationships should be abandoned. There should be true respect for each other's opinions and interests."
EU-Russia relations are at a low ebb over the conflict in Ukraine that broke out in 2014, with European sanctions still in force against Moscow. EU leaders are expected next month to discuss the issue of extending sanctions on Russia's banking, defense and energy sectors that expire in July, which would require a unanimous vote.
Moscow said trade and economy will top the agenda of Putin's visit to Greece, where he is due to meet with President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday.
Greece and Russia will sign a "number of bilateral agreements," the Kremlin said without providing further details.
On Saturday, Putin will join celebrations for the 1,000th anniversary of the Russian presence at the ancient monastic community of Mount Athos in northern Greece, one of Orthodox Christianity's holiest sites.
Greece has repeatedly sought the help of Russia, a fellow Orthodox country, over the course of its descent into economic crisis over the past six years.
Tsipras is believed to have requested Russian financial assistance last year as the country teetered on the verge of bankruptcy, although Russian officials have publicly denied any approach.