The Russians are determined to expand their interests in the Middle East and North Africa. This explains why the country is seeking an agreement that would allow its forces to use Egyptian airbases.
Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, has ordered the foreign and defence ministries to hold talks with Egyptian officials in an attempt to secure a deal.
Mr Medvedev's order was accompanied by a draft five-year plan for allowing each of the two countries' warplanes to use the other's airspace and airbases.
Russia has been courting Egypt, a former US ally, since 2014, when Washington suspended military and financial assistance over a crackdown on supporters of the ousted President Morsi. It was during that year that Moscow and Cairo signed a $3.5 billion deal, by which Russia would supply Egypt with artillery, air defence systems, light arms and aircraft.
Sergi Shoigu, Russia's defence minister, was in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss arms deals and defence cooperation with Egypt's political and military leadership.
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