Egypt continues its efforts to strengthen its military capabilities by acquiring French aircraft carrier ‘Mistral', after Russia's mediation to complete negotiations between Cairo and Paris, Al Bawaba News reported. Russia's mediation boosted the chances of Egypt securing the deal, despite problems that have occurred concerning the deal recently. As Russian newspaper ‘Moskovsky Komsomolets' stated that Moscow informed Paris of its consent on the sale of two aircraft carriers to Egypt and UAE. Russia stressed that it would not oppose the deal in any form or kind, especially since Russia was considered to be the actual owner of both Mistral warships, before France announced the cancellation of the deal, after Russia was sanctioned by UN Security Council regarding the Ukrainian conflict. French sources told American newspaper ‘Wall Street Journal' that Egypt formally requested the purchase of Mistral carriers from France and both Saudi Arabia and UAE pledged to provide financial guarantees for the deal.
