Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday to review bilateral relations and exchange views on pressing regional and international issues, including the situation in Gaza, developments in Libya and Sudan, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy said President Al-Sisi asked Lavrov to convey his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin and praised the steady growth of strategic relations between Egypt and Russia across political, economic, and trade spheres. Al-Sisi underscored the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries, particularly with regard to the establishment of the Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the implementation of the Dabaa nuclear power plant project, in addition to other strategic initiatives. Lavrov conveyed President Putin's greetings to Al-Sisi and affirmed Moscow's commitment to building on the outcomes of the Egyptian president's visit to Russia in May 2025, with the aim of expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, which was hosted by Egypt. Al-Sisi highlighted the forum's significance in enhancing economic and development cooperation between Russia and African nations and in supporting the objectives of Africa's Agenda 2063. Lavrov expressed his appreciation to Egypt for hosting the conference and said Russia looks forward to holding the forum's third edition in 2026, as well as convening a Russia–Arab summit next year. On regional developments, the two sides discussed the situation in Gaza, stressing the need to halt the war, secure an immediate ceasefire, and prevent further escalation, while emphasizing respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also addressed the Russia-Ukraine crisis, during which Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt's support for political solutions and its readiness to contribute to international efforts aimed at ending the conflict, the presidency said.
