The Russian president called the country one of Moscows key partners in Africa

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized wartime ties and soaring trade figures during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the Kremlin on Friday. He described the country as one of Moscow's "key partners in Africa."

The Egyptian delegation arrived in Moscow to participate in the Victory Day parade on Red Square and other festivities marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Following the parade, the Russian and Egyptian leaders held a bilateral meeting.

"We are sincerely pleased to welcome all of you to Moscow," Putin said. He recalled Egypt's role as a strategic base for the USSR's allies in North Africa during the war and noted that Cairo officially joined the anti-Axis coalition.

"It is symbolic that our diplomatic ties were established during the war," Putin added.

He described current Russian-Egyptian relations as developing successfully and "supported by regular and substantive political dialogue."

Putin remarked that Egypt joined BRICS in 2024 and that, by the end of last year, bilateral trade had grown by more than 30%, reaching a record $9 billion. He added that trade had increased by another 80% in the first two months of this year.

President el-Sisi responded it was a great honor to take part in the commemorative events and congratulated Russia on the anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany.

El-Sisi is one of seven African heads of state who were scheduled to attend Moscow's Victory Day parade on May 9. According to Kremlin officials, President Putin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of five African nations: Congo, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau.

(RT.com)