Egypt Prepares for New Step Towards Completing Construction of Dabba Nuclear Plant

Egypt is preparing to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the inauguration of the station's fourth reactor. (Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Egypt is preparing to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the inauguration of the station's fourth reactor. (Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
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Egypt Prepares for New Step Towards Completing Construction of Dabba Nuclear Plant

Egypt is preparing to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the inauguration of the station's fourth reactor. (Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority)
Egypt is preparing to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the inauguration of the station's fourth reactor. (Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority)

Egypt is moving towards a new executive step in inaugurating its first nuclear plant in Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast.

Egypt is preparing to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the inauguration of the station's fourth reactor.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit had significant implications, including an "end to Moscow's isolation" and "pushing towards a greater role for Moscow in the region."

Putin will visit Egypt to participate in laying the foundation for the fourth reactor, confirmed Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"Yes, preparations are already underway, and this event is very important," Peskov told reporters on Friday.

According to the Russia’s RT Arabic, Peskov said Russia's cooperation with Egypt continues in various fields. Cairo "is a very important partner, including in the field of this advanced technology, which is crucial for further development in Egypt."

Moreover, Peskov stressed that Russia is an unparalleled leader in the global nuclear industry.

"We provide better, cheaper, and higher quality services, making it extremely challenging for other participants in this market to compete with us," he stated.

4 Generation III Reactors

In 2015, Egypt contracted with the Russian state company Rosatom to establish a nuclear station in Dabaa.

The plant will include four "Three +" generation reactors operating with pressurized water, with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts, 1,200 megawatts each, with the first reactor scheduled to be launched in 2028 at a cost of up to $30 billion.

Egypt's former Ambassador to Moscow and Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Ezzat Saad told Asharq Al-Awsat that Putin's visit underlines the importance of bilateral relations and cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Saad added that the visit is evidence of significant and sustainable strategic cooperation between Cairo and Moscow.

Rosatom

Russia's Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation recently announced it was opening a representative office in Egypt.

Director of Rosatom's country office in Egypt Murad Aslanov said Rosatom has launched an industry-wide initiative to consolidate its foreign presence's office infrastructure.

The Dabaa station is the company's most significant project in Africa. Located in the Matrouh Governorate, it is Egypt’s first nuclear facility.

Under the agreement, the Russian company will deliver nuclear fuel, train personnel, and provide support in the operation and servicing for the first ten years of the operation of each unit.

Political science professor at Cairo University Nourhan al-Sheikh echoed the ambassador's statement, telling Asharq Al-Awsat that Putin's visit reflects the strength of the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia that has been ongoing for the past two years.

Sheikh confirmed that Russia can no longer be isolated, especially after Putin visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year.

Putin is acting according to agendas and agreements with friendly countries, and sanctions or the International Criminal Court's (ICC) ruling have no impact, said the professor.

Putin's isolation

Since the Russian war on Ukraine in February 2022, the US and Europe have sought to isolate Putin, who broke the seclusion with his state visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE last December.

Putin's visit to Cairo confirms Moscow's interest in the Middle East region, said Sheikh, noting that Russia is boosting its role in the Middle East and Africa. The Gaza war is one of the important issues that will be discussed by President Abdulfattah al-Sisi and Putin.

Sheikh added that Moscow is interested in the Red Sea and is aware that the military actions of the US and UK forces in the waterway not only target the Houthi militias in Yemen, but Russia and China as well.

Russian president's visit

The former diplomat stressed that many regional issues will be discussed during Sisi and Putin’s meeting.

The US must review its Middle East policy, he stressed, explaining that Washington's insistence on siding with Israel and its inability to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza have harmed its credibility.

Saad elaborated that Russian positions on regional crises may lead to rapprochement between nations, but within limited capabilities given Moscow's preoccupation with its war on Ukraine and its domestic economic concerns.

Sheikh said Russia is concerned with the stability of the Middle East and sees this as achieving its interests, in contrast to the United States, which prefers instability.

The Russian policy towards regional issues has gained traction compared to the decline in public acceptance of Washington, she noted.

Recent years have witnessed intense competition between the US and Europe, on the one hand, and Russia and China, on the other, for influence in Africa. Moscow has boosted its commercial presence in Africa and in the Middle East.



Alarm in Tel Aviv After Removal of Pro-Israel Officials from Trump Administration

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the White House in April. (dpa)
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the White House in April. (dpa)
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Alarm in Tel Aviv After Removal of Pro-Israel Officials from Trump Administration

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the White House in April. (dpa)
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the White House in April. (dpa)

The dismissal of pro-Israel officials in the White House sparked concerns in Tel Aviv as US President Donald Trump’s “America First” sidelines allies and reflects a broader effort to curb foreign influence across the administration.

“Israeli officials are expressing growing concern over a series of unexpected personnel changes within the US administration, particularly involving individuals widely seen as strongly supportive of Israel,” sources told the Ynetnews website, which is affiliated to the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

The reshuffling comes amid rising tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a potential strike on Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza.

According to the Israeli report, two senior officials recently removed from their posts are Merav Ceren, a dual US-Israeli citizen who was only recently appointed as head of the Iran and Israel portfolio at the National Security Council, and Eric Trager, who oversees the Middle East and North Africa.

Both had been appointed by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, a staunch supporter of Israel, who was himself dismissed by Trump.

Ynetnews wrote that their removal was reportedly carried out by Waltz’s successor, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Meanwhile, another high-profile figure expected to depart is Morgan Ortagus, deputy to special envoy Steve Witkoff and the official handling the Lebanon portfolio. Sources say her departure is not voluntary.

Ortagus, who converted to Judaism and wears a Star of David necklace, is considered one of the strongest supporters of Israel within the administration.

According to the Israeli report, she played a key role in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and in persuading the Lebanese government to take a firm stance against Hezbollah and disarm Palestinian refugee camps.

“Her imminent departure has stunned officials in Jerusalem, where she is viewed as closely aligned with Israeli interests,” Ynetnews said.

Officials following the issue do not rule out the possibility that more pro-Israel officials may be removed.

In the Trump administration, they note, decisions often come abruptly.

These removals are not occurring in a vacuum, but rather reflect a broader distancing between Jerusalem and the Trump administration, which appears to be pursuing its own strategic calculus.

Israeli sources familiar with US-Israel relations told the Israeli website that the spate of removals is driven by Trump’s “America First” agenda.

According to those sources, the shakeup is not specifically aimed at Israel but reflects a broader effort to curb foreign influence across the board.

They stress that the dismissals were not a result of the officials' views on Israel, but rather part of Trump’s ongoing attempt to weaken the National Security Council and consolidate control of US foreign policy in his own hands.

This, they said, explains why Trump has left the national security advisor post vacant, with Rubio assuming the responsibilities instead.

Also, the sources noted that the push to remove pro-Israel figures is being led by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, and Vice President JD Vance.

Ynetnews said that Netanyahu has reportedly confided in closed-door discussions with his confidant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, that he misjudged the direction the US was taking on Israel and the broader Middle East.

Senior Israeli officials said Netanyahu did not hide his disappointment with Dermer.

“Dermer misread the situation; he was convinced the US would never turn against us,” said one source.

“He failed to anticipate the shift in US policy toward Israel. Even now, Dermer still believes the US will remain supportive and maintain coordination, but the truth is, he’s lost his bearings.”