Russia negotiates deal for its warplanes to use Egypt bases

MOSCOW — The Russian prime minister approves a draft agreement with Egypt that would allow Russian warplanes to use Egyptian air bases — a deal that would allow Moscow to increase its foothold in North Africa and the Middle East.

A directive signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that is published on an official Russian legal portal on Thursday endorses the draft agreement prepared by Russia’s Defense Ministry and instructs it to sign the deal with Egypt when it’s ready.

The Russia-Egypt agreement would allow each country’s warplanes to use the military airstrips of the other. It is to last for five years and could be extended further.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s government has expanded military ties with Russia and signed deals to buy Russian fighter jets, helicopters and other weapons.

— AP