There are many signs that the United States, European Union and other international players are gradually shifting their positions to align themselves back with Egypt. After months of postponement and conflicting messages, the United States will finally deliver 10 Apache helicopters to Egypt ahead of Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy's official visit to Washington.
Earlier this week, news leaked that Cairo is hosting a Russian delegation to discuss the purchase of 24 MiG-35s, Russia’s top fighter jet, not sold as of yet to any other country. The original $3 billion arms deal, announced in February, detailed Egypt buying Russian MiG-29s and Mi-35 helicopters. To now include MiG-35s is definitely a step that could have worried Washington.
US Secretary of State John Kerry told Fahmy prior to his visit to Washington that he is "certifying to Congress that Egypt is sustaining the strategic relationship with the United States," although Kerry is "not yet able to certify that Egypt is taking steps to support a democratic transition." Kerry has consistently tried to mend relations and downplay differences, possibly fearing that a tough stance — especially over supply of US arms to Egypt — would send Egypt shopping for military hardware from Russia and China.
The last few months saw several reciprocal visits between Russian and Egyptian military officials, including a much publicized visit of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi himself to Moscow just before his resignation as minister of defense. During the visit, and even before Sisi officially announced his candidacy for Egypt’s presidency, Vladimir Putin supported the move “personally and on behalf of the Russian people.” Fahmy explained that Putin’s words were meant to support Egypt and its people, not Sisi per se.
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