The Pentagon and State Department chiefs sent a letter of caution to Cairo regarding a deal with Moscow.
The United States warned Egypt of the possible consequences of the acquisition of Russian Su-35 fighters. This is stated in the letter, which was sent on Wednesday, November 13, to the Minister of Defense and Military Industry of Egypt, Colonel General Mohammed Zaki, The Wall Street Journal reports.
It is noted that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper sent a joint letter to Cairo amid a visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“New major arms deals with Russia will at least hinder future transactions between the US and Egypt in this area, as well as security assistance”, – the document says.
According to the source of the publication in the State Department, the proposed deal between Egypt and Russia could entail the imposition of sanctions on Cairo by Washington.
According to the newspaper, the deal was completed at the end of 2018 and involves the supply of more than two dozen aircraft in the amount of two billion dollars. Deliveries should begin in 2020-2021.
Recall that in August, Turkey stated that it was after considering the possibility of buying Russian Su-35s after suspension of membership in the US F-35 fighter program.