The Role of Anwar Sadat in the Deterioration of Soviet-Egyptian Relations in 1971 - First Half of 1972 (According to Memoirs)

The article examines the history of the deterioration of Soviet-Egyptian relations in 1971 - first half of 1972, based on the memoirs of Soviet and Egyptian politicians and diplomats. It emphasizes the subjective nature of this process, stemming from the ideological and political views of the new Egyptian president, who made a firm decision to change the foreign policy vector of his state from pro-Soviet to pro-Western. It shows the methods of implementing Sadat's new course, aimed at complicating bilateral relations: provocative rumors about Soviet military aid to Egypt, spread not without the president's knowledge, and often on his personal initiative; unjustifiably inflated, and sometimes unrealistic claims about the quality and quantity of military technology and equipment supplied from the USSR; petty and far-fetched quibbles with the work of Soviet military specialists in Egypt; unfounded reproaches about insufficient support on foreign policy issues. The true purpose of these actions by the Egyptian leadership is revealed, aimed at creating a negative image of the Soviet Union and its role in strengthening the country's defense capability and Egypt's political influence in international politics.