Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed creating a “grain and energy center” in Egypt to distribute Russian products. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Egypt will no longer accept Russian grain exported from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
Reuters writes about this.
Putin, during a meeting in the Kremlin with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatti, said that Moscow and Cairo could discuss the creation of a “grain and energy center” on Egyptian territory. According to the Russian leader, the parties have “many interesting ideas” for developing cooperation.
Abdelatti, speaking through an interpreter, noted that Egypt welcomes Russian initiatives. However, during the open part of the meeting, it was not specified what mechanisms or infrastructure the creation of such a hub entails.
According to Reuters, Russia is looking for new channels to export energy and raw materials amid Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine. Egypt could act as a logistics and warehousing hub for Russian goods to Africa and the Middle East.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that he had a conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. According to him, Egypt will no longer accept Russian grain exported from the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
Zelensky thanked Cairo for this decision and noted that Egypt is interested in increasing imports of Ukrainian grain. The parties also agreed on further contacts between the foreign ministers.