Egypt is working to improve its image in preparation for the COP27 conference. A long-term relationship with Russia could be troublesome, among other things.

The autocratic Egyptian government has been enhancing its image in front of this month’s COP27 international climate conference. Various environmental initiatives have been presented, and political prisoners have been freed.

Moreover, by default of its complicated identity as an Afro-Arab nation and as a gateway between Africa and the Middle East. Egypt seeks to promote itself as a representation of the Global South before COP27. Mohammed Soliman, an Egypt expert at the Middle East Forum, or MEI, in Washington, stated in late October.

In addition, Russia is one of those entities. Egypt and its neighbor to the north have a long history together; throughout the Cold War.

Egypt was the Soviet Union’s largest ally in the Middle East, and it continues to be a significant partner today. The two nations are now closer since Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi took office as president of Egypt in 2014 after a military takeover.

“In regular communication” – In June of this year, el-Sissi declared at a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia. “Russia is an essential partner for Egypt in different spheres, and relations between the two nations are distinguished.”

In a speech he gave in late September to welcome a new Egyptian ambassador to his nation. And Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Egypt is “one of our most significant partners in Africa and the Arab world.”

El-Sissi and Putin have a lot in common. The so-called Arab Spring saw widespread pro-democracy demonstrations that were opposed by Moscow. El-Sissi certainly shares Putin’s views on political protest in light of his appalling record on human rights.

Furthermore, unlike the US and EU, Russia’s relationship with Egypt is not conditioned on Egypt’s economy turning around or the improvement of its human rights situation.

Egyptian journalist Shahira Amin noted in an editorial for US think tank, the Atlantic Council, earlier this year that “el-Sissi has moved to broaden Egypt’s global partnerships by establishing connections with his Russian counterpart — a dictator unconcerned with democracy and human rights.”