Claims that Egypt sides with single party in Russia-Ukraine war devoid of truth: FM

CAIRO – 14 April 2023: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry denied claims that Egypt has sided with a single party of the Russia-Ukraine war against the other, describing the claims as “far from reality”.

In an interview with TEN TV on Thursday, Shoukry stressed that Egypt will be benefited from a peaceful and a negotiated solution that spares the international community the implications of the conflict.

Shoukry’s remarks come a few days after the Washington Post claimed that Egypt planned to provide tens of thousands of missiles and other weapons to Russia in secrecy, citing alleged leaked US intelligence document.

However, an Egyptian official source quoted by Al Qahera News TV refuted the claims, affirming that Egypt’s stance regarding the conflict has been unchanged and relies on noninvolvement in the crisis.

The source added that Egypt continues to call on both parties to negotiate a political solution away from violence and hostilities.

Moreover, the White House said “we have seen no indication that Egypt is providing lethal weapon capabilities to Russia”.

“Egypt has been significantly affected by the conflict and the resulting inflationary pressures, rise in energy prices, and impact on food security. Egypt's interest is to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution,” Shoukry said.

He added that Egypt continues to encourage all parties to resort to peaceful means with regard to the conflict.

Egypt, one of the countries that were heavily affected by the economic implications of the crisis, is part of the Arab League’s Ukrainian crisis liaison group that aims to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Earlier, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi communicated with each of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to underline the need to reach a peaceful solution through negotiations.

Egypt had relied on both Russia and Ukraine for 80 percent of its wheat imports ahead of the conflict and its tourism sector was affected by the crisis given that both countries represent the largest tourist exporter to Egypt.