Russia welcomes Egypt’s refusal to supply Ukraine with weapons and is aware that the US and Europe pressured Cairo on this issue, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Tuesday.
"We welcome Cairo’s refusal to deliver weapons to the Kiev regime. At the same time, we understand that such a decision was made despite serious pressure from the Americans and Europeans," Patrushev said at the Russian-Egyptian security consultations held in Cairo.
On Tuesday, during the Russian-Egyptian security consultations held in the city of Cairo, several issues in the countries' multilateral relations were discussed, as well as the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Russian Security Council Secretary hoped for more support from Egypt for Russia's positions in the UN and other international platforms.
"The sides exchanged views on issues of security in the Middle East, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Sahara-Sahel zone. They also touched upon the situation around Ukraine. The sides reiterated their commitment to the continuation of cooperation and coordination in international and regional affairs," said the press service of the Russian Security Council.
Cairo has been repeatedly asked by US officials to send weapons such as artillery shells, anti-tank missiles, air defense systems, and small arms to Kiev to help it deal with ammunition shortages. But the North African officials didn't answer to the request and said privately that Egypt was not planning to send arms, a US media outlet reported.
Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with military aid since the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The support evolved from light artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023.