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 after the top diplomat spoke by telephone to his Greek counterpart.