Russia to remain reliable counter-terrorism ally for Egypt - Putin
MOSCOW. May 26 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram with condolences to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi over the tragic aftermath of a terror attack in El Minya governorate, which killed Coptic Christians, the Kremlin said on Friday.
"In his telegram, the Russian head of state stressed that the killing of the pilgrims, some of them women and children, is yet another attestation of the barbaric, inhumane essence of terrorism, and both the perpetrators and masterminds of this atrocity must not escape retribution," the statement says.
"In a conversation with me in recent days the Coptic patriarch, Tawadros II, talked about the measures the Egyptian leadership has in place to preserve inter-faith peace in the country. I am certain that the forces of terror will not succeed in terrorizing the Egyptian people and sowing hatred among the followers of various religions," Putin said.
The president confirmed that Russia will remain a reliable ally for Egypt in combating terrorism, the press office said.
"Putin offered his condolences to the relatives and friends of the dead, as well as wishes of swift recovery to the injured," the Kremlin press office said.