Russia’s Izvestia reported on Oct. 9 that Moscow intends to establish an airbase in the Egyptian town of Sidi Barrani by 2019. This was quickly denied by Cairo.
“The negotiations over possible participation of Russia in rebuilding of Egyptian military sites on the Mediterranean coast near Sidi Barrani are quite successful. If both parties agree to the terms, as soon as 2019 the base may become operational. Cairo is ready to lease it to Moscow because it would use it to pursue high-priority geopolitical goals, which align with Egypt’s interests,” an anonymous diplomatic source told Izvestia.