Egypt’s Al-Sisi discusses El-Dabaa nuclear expansion and regional security with Putin in Moscow

Moscow — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that Egypt hopes to expand its nuclear cooperation with Moscow, including the potential for new reactors after 2030, during a meeting at the Kremlin on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit. Al-Sisi reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to the timeline and payment obligations for the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, where the reactor pressure vessel for unit two was installed on July 9. The Egyptian president also expressed interest in building a research reactor, small and floating nuclear reactors, and cooperating in uranium and rare metals extraction. To support the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Al-Sisi stated that Egypt is fully prepared to provide all preferences, exemptions, and support to the Russian managing company.

The leaders highlighted growing economic ties during the talks. Putin noted that bilateral trade volume reached a record high of more than $10bn in 2025, and increased by 14% in the first eight months of this year. Putin added that overall Russian-African trade has grown by 1. 5 times since 2022, exceeding $27 bn, with Egypt accounting for a significant share. The two sides discussed preparations for the 16th meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission, which is scheduled to be held in Egypt in 2027, alongside cooperation in grain supplies, health, education, and scientific research. In the tourism sector, Putin stated that more than 1. 2m Russian tourists visited Egypt in the first six months of the year, following approximately 1. 5m visitors throughout 2025. The meeting also covered regional and international diplomacy, following up on a previous exchange of views held on the sidelines…