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| Russia's Putin in Cairo for talks with Egypt's Sisi | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day visit to Egypt, as both sides aim to boost bilateral ties and discuss major regional security issues. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day visit to Egypt, as both sides aim to boost bilateral ties and discuss major regional security issues. |
| Ahead of his trip, he described Egypt as Russia's "old and trusted partner". | Ahead of his trip, he described Egypt as Russia's "old and trusted partner". |
| Mr Putin is seen as a key backer of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has been criticised by the West over his crackdown on dissent. | Mr Putin is seen as a key backer of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has been criticised by the West over his crackdown on dissent. |
| Mr Sisi, the former army chief, was elected president after previous leader Mohamed Morsi was ousted in 2013. | Mr Sisi, the former army chief, was elected president after previous leader Mohamed Morsi was ousted in 2013. |
| At least 1,400 supporters of Mr Morsi and his Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, have since been killed in clashes with security forces, More than 16,000 others have been detained. | |
| 'Dynamic' relations | 'Dynamic' relations |
| Mr Putin arrived in Cairo late on Monday. He was greeted by President Sisi. | |
| The two leaders attended a cultural show at Cairo's opera house on Monday, with formal talks due on Tuesday morning. | The two leaders attended a cultural show at Cairo's opera house on Monday, with formal talks due on Tuesday morning. |
| In an interview with Egypt's state-run al-Ahram newspaper, the Russian leader hailed "dynamic" bilateral relations, saying that trade increased by almost 50% in 2014 compared with the year before. | In an interview with Egypt's state-run al-Ahram newspaper, the Russian leader hailed "dynamic" bilateral relations, saying that trade increased by almost 50% in 2014 compared with the year before. |
| Mr Putin also suggested the two countries would discuss ending the use of the US dollar in bilateral trade, switching to national currencies instead. | Mr Putin also suggested the two countries would discuss ending the use of the US dollar in bilateral trade, switching to national currencies instead. |
| Russia is also reportedly seeking to increase arms sales to Egypt, which reacted angrily in 2013 to a decision by the US to suspend some deliveries following the crackdown on Morsi supporters. | |
| When the Russian defence and foreign ministers visited Cairo in November, Russian media said the two countries were close to signing a $3bn (£2bn) deal for MiG-29 fighters and attack helicopters. | |
| The two presidents are also expected to hold talks on the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian issue. | |
| Mr Putin's visit comes amid a growing crisis in eastern Ukraine, as diplomats try to reach a peace deal to end the fighting between government troops and pro-Russian rebels that has left nearly 5,400 dead. | Mr Putin's visit comes amid a growing crisis in eastern Ukraine, as diplomats try to reach a peace deal to end the fighting between government troops and pro-Russian rebels that has left nearly 5,400 dead. |
| Russia is accused by Ukraine and the West of sending its troops across the border and arming the separatists - a claim denied by Moscow. | Russia is accused by Ukraine and the West of sending its troops across the border and arming the separatists - a claim denied by Moscow. |