Egypt's Sisi, Zelensky Again Discuss Ukraine Crisis

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021. (Reuters)
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021. (Reuters)
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Egypt's Sisi, Zelensky Again Discuss Ukraine Crisis

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021. (Reuters)
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021. (Reuters)

For the second time in a week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a telephone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the developments of the Ukrainian crisis.

“The Ukrainian president reviewed the latest developments in this context, especially with regard to the course of negotiations,” Sisi’s office said.

He emphasized the importance of addressing all means that can lead to calm and a peaceful solution to the conflict. He stressed Egypt's keenness to exert all efforts to that end, whether at the bilateral, regional or international levels.

In March, Egypt had joined 140 other nations in voting in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution calling on Russia to end the fighting and withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

The vote included five against, while 35 countries abstained.

Egypt said it voted in favor of the resolution in line with its respect for international law and the UN Charter.

However, Cairo said the resolution should not avoid looking into the main reasons behind this crisis, rejecting to the principle of imposing economic sanctions outside the international multilateral system and warning of the economic and social repercussions of this crisis.

Egypt also undelrined the importance of upholding dialogue and diplomatic solutions, as well as efforts that would speed up reaching a political settlement to the crisis in a manner that preserves international security and stability, and ensures that the situation does not escalate or deteriorate.

Less than a week ago, Sisi received a phone call from Zelensky, who briefed him on the latest developments in Ukraine.

Sisi expressed his appreciation for Ukrainian measures to facilitate the exit of Egyptians from Ukraine and to ensure their safety and security.



France Says Algeria Threatening to Expel Diplomatic Staff 

This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
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France Says Algeria Threatening to Expel Diplomatic Staff 

This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
This handout photograph released by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) shows France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meeting with Algeria's Foreign Minister at the ministry headquarters in Algiers on April 6, 2025. (AFP Photo / Handout / Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)

France said on Monday that Algeria had threatened to expel 12 of its diplomatic staff and that it would take immediate reprisals should that occur in the latest flare-up between them.

Algeria protested over the weekend against Frances's detention of an Algerian consular agent suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an Algerian. French media said three people, including the diplomat, were under investigation over the seizure of Algerian government opponent Amir Boukhors.

"The Algerian authorities are demanding that 12 of our agents leave Algerian territory within 48 hours," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a statement.

"If the decision to expel our agents is maintained, we will have no choice but to respond immediately."

There was no immediate confirmation from Algeria of an imminent expulsion.

France's relations with its former colony have long been complicated, but took a turn for the worse last year when French President Emmanuel Macron angered Algeria by backing Morocco's position over the disputed Western Sahara region.

Only last week, Barrot had said ties were returning to normal after a visit to Algeria.