Soviet-Egyptian Relations (1970–1973)

In this article, the author examines the history of political relations between the USSR and Egypt after the death of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970 and the beginning of the era of President Mohammed Anwar el-Sadat, as well as the difficulties and turmoil that directly arose in relations between the two countries. The aim of the study is to analyse the approach of Egyptian policymakers towards the Soviet Union in the early seventies. On the other hand, to highlight the position of Soviet leaders towards Sadat’s rise to power and his attempts at a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In addition, the author examines the most significant factors, ups and downs of relations between the two countries during this period, i.e. from the signing stage of the Soviet-Egyptian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, military assistance to Egypt with arms to the crisis related to the termination of the mission of Soviet military advisors and experts in Egypt. This study focused on a combined analysis of sources and studies in Arabic and Russian in order to objectively highlight the point of view of each of the participants in the relationship, as well as some Western views according to English-language sources. The study as a whole explains the crucial motives behind the crises that had an obvious impact on the Soviet-Egyptian relations and how, through joint efforts, the leadership of both countries managed to eliminate these crises before the October War of 1973.