Egypt Daily News – Ambassador Youssef El-Sharkawy, former Assistant to Egypt’s Foreign Minister, stated that President El-Sisi’s current visit to Russia highlights the depth and strength of the relationship between the two countries. He added that the visit undertaken to participate in the Victory Day celebrations, also reflects the strong personal rapport between Presidents El-Sisi and Vladimir Putin, as well as the robust political, security, and economic ties between Egypt and Russia.
Speaking to RT, El-Sharkawy pointed to “numerous indicators” of the growing political, economic, and trade relations between Cairo and Moscow. These include Russia’s involvement in major national projects such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Dabaa nuclear power plant, as well as the steady flow of Russian tourists to Egypt.
Earlier on Thursday, President El-Sisi arrived in Moscow to attend Russia’s celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany and its allies in World War II. A ceremonial unit from the Egyptian Armed Forces will also participate in the military parade in Red Square.
El-Sharkawy emphasized that El-Sisi’s visit to Moscow at this particular time “gives a strong boost to Egypt-Russia relations and also reflects Egypt’s commitment to a balanced diplomatic approach and strategic alignment with global powers.”
He noted that Egypt maintains strong relations not only with Russia but also with the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and major Asian powers like India, Japan, and South Korea. This reflects Cairo’s efforts to maintain a balanced foreign policy that serves national interests and supports Egyptian national security.
The former diplomat also suggested that the visit would include important discussions on the situation in Gaza and broader regional developments. He noted Russia’s support for efforts to stabilize the region and end the war in Gaza—a position aligned with Egypt’s aim to restore calm and promote stability.
Russia and Egypt are jointly constructing the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, described as “the largest nuclear construction project on Earth,” located in the Dabaa area of Egypt’s Matrouh Governorate. The installation of the reactor vessel is expected in November.
Trade between the two countries has also seen significant growth in recent years. Egyptian exports to Russia reached a total of $4.495 billion over the past decade, doubling from $346.68 million in 2015 to $606.79 million in 2024.
