Russian Ambassador to Egypt, Georgy Borisenko, said that Russia’s relationship with Egypt is one built on friendship and strategy – with the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant serving as a testament to this bond.
In an exclusive interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, Borisenko confirmed that Moscow did not refuse to negotiate with Ukraine, which had had enacted a law to refuse.
He has even accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of having sold out his nation.
■ Firstly, how do you evaluate Egyptian-Russian relations in various fields?
The relationship between Egypt and Russia is characterized by friendship and strong cooperation at both the general and state level. This year, on August 6, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The bilateral interaction between us has the nature of a strategic partnership, and the cooperation between our two countries is comprehensive – covering all political, economic, cultural, scientific fields and more.
Our bilateral contacts enjoy high dynamism at the highest levels.
Back in July, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, met in the framework of the second Russian-African summit in St. Petersburg. The two presidents also communicate regularly by phone to exchange views on the main issues listed on the international agenda.
■What can you say about the construction of the Dabaa nuclear plant?
The Dabaa nuclear power plant construction project serves as the best evidence of our joint cooperation.
This huge construction project tops a series of our joint economic initiatives. We proudly note that work will be completed ahead of schedule. Three energy units are already being built, and we have obtained permission from the Technical Regulatory Authority to build the fourth energy unit.
This project is currently considered the largest nuclear construction project in the world.
■What are the developments in the war with Ukraine?
Russia steadfastly continues to achieve its goals of disarmament and de-Nazification in Ukraine.
The timing of the completion of the Russian special military operation depends on the intensity of hostilities.
The Russian Armed Forces are constantly working to crush “enemy” forces and direct strikes directed exclusively at military infrastructure.
Our mission is reducing losses on the part of our soldiers and civilians.
The Russian army could have ended the conflict much faster, as the arsenal, combat equipment and human resources allow this, but the losses, especially on the Ukrainian side, would be incomparably higher.
■ What are the real losses of the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces, including in manpower and equipment? You say that the Ukrainian counterattack has failed, but Kiev denies this. What is your comment?
Ukraine’s forces are suffering heavy losses, which have risen significantly due to their use of “meat attack” tactics.
Due to the low efficiency of the Western equipment supplied to the Kiev regime, the infantry is the first to be sent into the minefields and they are trying at the cost of their lives to remove our defenses.
As a result, Ukrainian army soldiers injured on the front lines are frustrated, while German “Leopard” tanks and American “Bradley” vehicles are due being burned thanks to the work of Russian aviation and artillery.
Since July 4, when Ukraine launched its disastrous attack, Kiev has lost approximately 600 tanks and 2,000 different armored fighting vehicles without advancing in any direction.
But recently, the Ukrainian television channel “1 + 1” reported that since February 24, 2022 more than a million Ukrainian soldiers were lost.
■ But why did negotiations falter?
Russia has never refused to resolve the conflict through negotiations, unlike Ukraine, where a presidential decree prohibits any dialogue with Moscow.
If Kiev or its Western sponsors are willing to reach out to us, let them begin to do so.
Until now, the US and NATO are acting forcefully by imposing economic sanctions and massive arms supplies to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, but this is a stalemate.
■ It was recently reported that Ukraine could witness a military coup. Is your country linked to this matter, especially since the Ukrainian president hinted at Moscow’s involvement in assassination attempts?
There is no tradition in Russia of organizing military coups in other countries.
This is a distinctive feature of the US, which is trying to hand over power to appropriate regimes at the expense of countries to impose “democracy” on them. Yet with the strength of the current authority in Kiev as well as its legitimacy, it cannot.
Excluding any developments, I believe that the authority in Kiev does not reflect the aspirations of the Ukrainian people because it condemns them to death, and does so based on the orders of Washington, London, and the other capital of NATO which always visit Zelensky, who has sold out Ukraine permanently and ensured it is no longer an independent country.
■ How is it that Ukraine is “independent”, according to international law?
Ukraine lost its independence 10 years ago when the whole world witnessed the tragic events that took place in the center of Kiev, known as the “Euromaidan” protests.
These events led to the bloody coup under the supervision of the Americans, who decided to distance Ukraine from Russia regionally and mentally, even though the Russians and Ukrainians are one people.
Everything that happened with Ukraine next can only be described as the spread of extreme nationalism and “crazed” anti-Russian propaganda, as well as legal nihilism and endless political chaos.
■ I return to your accusation of Ukraine’s lack of independence.. Have NATO countries misled Kiev? Who benefits from the war in Ukraine?
The NATO member states, headed by the USA, are particularly interested in the war between two brotherly peoples who lived in a unified country. A military settlement of this issue could have been avoided, but the Western countries intentionally implicated Ukraine in thus “bloody” adventure and made it a threat to Russia and the citizens.
I tell you that the Americans and their allies are counting on the entire Kiev regime, but they do not care about the future of the Ukrainians, as they consider them fuel for the war against Russia which stands against the global hegemony of the US.
■ In your opinion, is there a possibility of postponing the date of the presidential elections in Russia, especially in light of their postponement in Kiev?
Developments in Ukraine do not affect the presidential elections in Russia, which is a purely internal process, determined by responsible Russian authorities in Moscow.
■Let us leave your war and move on to the Israeli war on Gaza. How do you evaluate this and Hamas’ actions?
From the first moment of the war, Russia called for an immediate ceasefire.
The root causes of the crisis lie in the behavior of the Israeli authorities over many decades, and their unwillingness to reach an agreement with the Palestinians and deprive them of land.
This has led to escalation that has flooding Gaza with blood, and this policy will not bring security for Israel.
We agree with what the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres said, saying that the Gaza Strip has become a huge graveyard for children, but we do not support the actions of Hamas.
At the same time, confronting these threats must be proportionate and not in the form of collective punishment.
■ How do you see Egypt’s role in this crisis, and what is the solution from your point of view?
Egypt plays an important role in reducing the escalation between Hamas and Israel, and Russia highly evaluates the Egyptian efforts to deliver aid and exchange detainees, including Russian citizens, and evacuate them all from the conflict area.
Therefore, the positions of Cairo and Moscow regarding settling the crisis are close or identical, by not allowing the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The only viable solution is the internationally recognized formula that stipulates the establishment of two independent states, which must be implemented before it is too late.
■Why doesn’t Russia use its influence and good relations with Israel to stop the conflict?
Russia has balanced relations with the Arab countries and Israel, but after the start of our special military operation against Ukraine, aimed at defending the Donbas region, Israel suddenly expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian regime, which supports “Nazis.”
Israeli military trainers and other mercenaries arrived in Ukraine to fight us, and this, of course, had an impact On our conversation
However, on October 16, shortly after the war in Gaza, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged to abandon the military escalation favor of a political solution.
Unfortunately, Russia’s call was ignored, and no wonder, as it was thanks to America’s recommendations much like with Ukraine.
■ Is there a comparison between Gaza and Ukraine?
The terrible suffering that our Palestinian friends experienced.
The whole world saw firsthand the difference between Russia’s military strategy and the methods of war pursued by the Americans and their allies.
It will not be difficult for us to turn a neighboring country into ruin like in the Gaza Strip, where thousands of civilians were buried under the rubble.
But the Russian soldier chooses another path. It is longer, more difficult, but one characterized by pride that does not target women and children.
