The Russian-Ukrainian War: How Will It Affect Egypt?

President Vladimir Putin announced on 24 February 2022 the start of a military operation in the Donbas basin in eastern Ukraine. An area that was declared as independent states by Russia not two days before. Russian forces commenced an aggressive military attack and the opening salvo included 6 major explosions in the Ukrainian city Kharkiv.

Reports claim Russia is about to enter Ukraine from the Crimean Peninsula. Why is this happening and why now? We explore the issue in this article.

For more information on the history of the conflict check our article The Story of Luhansk and Donetsk: Why Did Russia Acknowledge their Independence?

The EU and US standpoint

The EU responded by threatening to impose embargoes on Russia and to freeze its assets preventing it from reaching international markets which will weaken the Russian economy. These restrictive measures were also confirmed by US President Joe Biden.

Putin: We don’t want to occupy the Donbas basin

President Vladimir Putin claims that Russia has no intention of invading Ukraine, and that Russia is only protecting the 2 independent regions in the Donbas basin. He cautioned against foreign interference in Ukraine and called for the Ukrainian troops’ surrender.

The effect of the war on Egypt

• The Egyptian tourism sector has been affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war.
• The prices of some strategic goods such as meat and grains are expected to rise by at least 20% in the coming period. 
• Egypt imports 13 million tons of wheat each year from Russia & Ukraine.
• Egypt imports corn, barley, soybeans, cooking oil, iron, and steel & its by products from Ukraine.
• Oil (petrol) price are also expected to increase. 

To know more about the impact of this war on Egypt check out Khairy Ramadan’s interview with Dr. Mohamed Shady member of the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies here.