Dr. Faber – who edits the Gloom, Boom and Doom report – is in no doubt that Greece will not be allowed to default because of both economic and geo-political considerations.

"It's about the ECB and European banks that have lent money to Greece and if Greece defaults would have to take a huge loss and write-off. So they will lend more money and kick the can down the road."

Of even greater significance is Greece's strategically vital location as a gateway between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It is this geo-political factor which Faber believes will ensure that Greece is kept within the EU fold at any cost. For this reason he insists that Russia will never cede Crimea to the western powers.

"From the Black Sea, the Russian fleet can move into the Mediterranean. and without that, they can't – they have no access to the Mediterranean, without the Black Sea and Crimea."