Russia trying to buy back weapons sold to other countries to use in Ukraine, report says
- Moscow has held secret talks with Egypt, Belarus, Brazil and Pakistan, insiders say, with Egypt and Belarus agreeing to send helicopter engines back to Russia
- The reported attempts to bring military tech back to Russia come at the same time as President Vladimir Putin is ramping up domestic production
Russia has approached several countries asking to buy back weapons it sold them, hoping to deploy them in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Secret talks have taken place with Egypt, Belarus, Brazil and Pakistan, the outlet reported, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the discussions.
Three of those sources told the paper that Egypt agreed to quickly and quietly return 150 helicopter engines. They are expected to be back within a month, the paper reported.
Russia also asked for four engines it sold to Pakistan, six from Belarus, and 12 from Brazil, the outlet reported. While Pakistan denied being approached, two unnamed sources told the outlet that Belarus – a strong ally of Russia – had agreed.
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A Brazilian official told the outlet that officials there refused. Insider was unable to independently verify the reports, and the Russian ministry of defence did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The reported Egyptian deal follows a flurry of back-and-forth deal making as it sought to balance its ties with the US – a long-standing provider of military aid – and its historically warm relations with Russia.
