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U.S. Threatens Egypt with Sanctions over Russian Arms Deal

(Wall Street Journal) Vivian Salama - The U.S. warned Egypt on Wednesday of possible sanctions over Cairo's decision to buy more than 20 Russian Su-35 jet fighters. "Major new arms deals with Russia would - at a minimum - complicate future U.S. defense transactions with and security assistance to Egypt," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper wrote to Egypt's defense minister. The U.S. has provided Egypt with billions in military and economic aid in recent decades, including sales of F-16 jet fighters and attack helicopters. The letter was sent as Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Cairo for talks about military cooperation. A U.S. law called the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA, targets transactions with Russia's military and defense industry. The letter warns of "Egypt's risk of being sanctioned under this law if it accepts delivery of major new Russian military equipment."
2019-11-15 00:00:00
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