With Greece's banks just days away from a potential collapse that could drag the country out of the euro, Tsipras had been expected to offer up economic reforms in exchange for loans.
Instead, his government said it would only present a plan tomorrow.
"You know, there was a promise for today. Then, they're promising for tomorrow," said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. "For the Greek government it's every time 'manana.'"
But that domestic victory did not appear to give him much leverage in talks with foreign creditors, who know Tsipras needs a deal soon to keep his country afloat.
Banks have been shut for seven working days and will not reopen before Thursday, cash withdrawals have been limited for just as long, and daily business throughout the country has come to a near standstill.
So it was with some surprise that European leaders learned Tsipras did not yet have a written proposal for new rescue aid.
Greece's 18 eurozone partners have steadfastly said they want to help Greece stay in the currency club but have just as often complained about Greece dragging its feet during months of negotiations.
Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Tsipras he was dancing close to the financial abyss.
"We are no longer talking about weeks but very few days," she said.
An official from a eurozone nation said that Greece's failure to bring clear proposals to an earlier meeting of finance ministers caused widespread frustration.
"Everybody was angry," said the official, who asked not to be identified because he was commenting on a closed meeting.
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