On April 13, 2022, ECFA received Mr. Georgiy Borisenko, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Cairo; to talk about the “special military operation” launched by his country in Ukraine since February 24, and its political, security, economic and humanitarian repercussions on the situation in Europe and the world, and the chances of achieving a settlement to the war there. The meeting was opened and moderated by Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, and a number of ECFA members including ambassadors, academics and researchers, participated in it.

The guest indicated that the military operation was in defense of the right to self-determination and the protection of the population in eastern Ukraine, who were subjected to persecution and various racist practices by the Kiev government, most of whom are of Russian origin. The operation also aimed at protecting Russian national security, and confronting the threats resulting from the support of NATO and the West in general to Ukraine since 2014, from strengthening the latter’s armament, and pushing it to demand joining the Alliance, thus posing an “existential threat” to Russia’s national security.

Regarding the chances of reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis, the Russian ambassador indicated that his country is ready to settle the crisis peacefully, but the Ukrainian side is not serious in this regard, and that the West is pushing Kiev to continue the war, and then prolong it. He added that the Russian forces are very careful in their military operations, to reduce the cost of human losses inside Ukraine, and have received many civilians from different parts of Ukraine to Russia, while providing medical services, food and shelter for them.

On the other hand, the guest mentioned that many countries – including Egypt – condemn the West attempts to exclude Russia and the counter approach to it in the international arena, adding that the era of unipolarity has ended, and that Russia seeks – with other like-minded countries – to establish a world characterized by justice, responsibility, and constructive cooperation based on respect, equality, and mutual trust, without excluding any party, in contrast to what Western countries desire. Meanwhile, he indicated that there are already ongoing negotiations between officials of the Russian Central Bank and its Egyptian counterpart on the application of the innovative Russian system for settling payments for trade exchanges, as well as an agreement on the continuation of the flow of Russian wheat shipments to Egypt, which is what President Putin pledged in a recent phone call with President Sisi.