Egyptian and Russian Foreign Ministers Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, Sudan Crisis, and Bilateral Ties

High-Level Discussions on Regional Stability and Bilateral Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov engaged in phone discussions on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, 2025, to address a range of bilateral and regional issues. The talks underscored the deep historical ties between Egypt and Russia, emphasizing growing momentum in economic and trade relations, and a shared commitment to regional stability.

Gaza Developments and Reconstruction Efforts

A significant portion of the discussions focused on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip. Minister Abdelatty outlined Egypt's ongoing efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire agreement, also known as the Sharm El-Sheikh peace agreement, and ensure the full implementation of its provisions. He stressed the critical need to advance to the second phase of the peace plan, which encompasses political, developmental, and humanitarian aspects, aiming to achieve sustained calm and long-term regional stability.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister also highlighted preparations for an upcoming international conference in Cairo dedicated to the reconstruction and early recovery of Gaza. He emphasized the importance of mobilizing global support for this initiative to rebuild the devastated territory and alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering of its residents. Egypt is working on a five-year reconstruction plan, endorsed by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), estimated at $53 billion. The United Nations, however, estimates Gaza's recovery costs could reach $70 billion.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar under US supervision, came into effect on October 10, following a two-year conflict in Gaza. Negotiations for the second phase are reportedly tied to the handover of all hostage remains by Israel, while Hamas has indicated that the process requires time due to the extensive destruction within Gaza. Reports indicate that nearly 69,000 people, predominantly women and children, have been killed, and over 170,600 others injured in Gaza since October 2023.

Addressing the Crisis in Sudan

The situation in Sudan was another key point of discussion. Both ministers stressed the paramount importance of preserving Sudanese state institutions, maintaining the country's unity, and unequivocally rejecting the establishment of any 'parallel entities'. Minister Abdelatty condemned the serious violations committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, North Darfur. He called for coordinated regional and international efforts to secure a comprehensive humanitarian truce and establish safe corridors for the delivery of aid to affected areas.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began on April 15, 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. The RSF reportedly seized control of El-Fasher on October 26, with local and international organizations reporting massacres of civilians.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

On the bilateral front, the ministers reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between Egypt and Russia. They acknowledged the increasing momentum in various areas of cooperation, particularly in the economic and trade sectors. Emphasis was placed on advancing ongoing joint cooperation projects, including the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which are expected to boost Russian investments in Egypt and expand the scope of bilateral collaboration.