As negotiations with creditors continue to fail to bring about agreement, more than ever Greece teeters on the brink of exiting the Eurozone, even European Union altogether.

This coming Sunday, by referendum the Greek electorate will be asked whether or not they wish to approve the most recent economic deal or austerity measures proposed by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The question will be posed by a Greek government spectacularly arguing for a “No” vote; a vote against what Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says accounts to blackmail; money in exchange for more humiliation.

In recent years the renowned birthplace of democracy has become a hub of protest and desperation, its political party system transformed entirely since the global financial crash in 2007.

Despite the election of Mr Tsipras’ left-wing Syriza government in January of this year, and even despite Sunday’s impending result, ultimately and simply the nation’s fate lies in the hands of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and their band of bureaucrats.

No union of states is easily maintained; the USA and UK provide excellent examples. Today the EU, an institution founded out of economic cooperation and humility faces its toughest test to date.

It cannot and should not become a club in which states may casually drop in and out of thanks to essential and desirable sets of criteria.

Potentially on to the brink of democratic collapse never-mind a so-called “Grexit” should faith in politics there fail, this is a time for humility amongst those dealing with Greece from a position of strength.

Politics, after all, is about people. After all, it is the citizens of Greece whom are caught in the crossfire.

Neither Greece nor do member states want a “Grexit” but time is running out. Someone has to blink.

Should Greece leave the Eurozone or EU altogether, amidst a lack of humility shown, and accusations of lies and betrayal amongst old friends who were there during the good times, even when its economy finally recovers it might see very few incentives to come back.