Western media have reported that the US is dissuading Egypt from buying Su-35s, threatening otherwise to impose sanctions against the largest Arab republic
A written statement issued by U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price following talks between U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Reuters reported, said Blinken had expressed concern over Cairo’s possible purchase of Russian Su-35 fighter jets.
“The Secretary of State expressed concerns about respect for human rights in Egypt, which he stressed would be key in the US-Egypt bilateral relationship, and Egypt’s potential purchase of Su-35 fighter jets from Russia”, – the US foreign ministry pointed out.
The United States is working with Egypt to deter it from striking a deal to buy Russian combat aircraft. At the same time, Washington is threatening Cairo with sanctions if it does go through with a major arms deal with Moscow.