Putin has just arrived to Egypt on a two day visit. CCTV’s Yasser hakim reported this story from Cairo, Egypt.

Putin’s pictures can be seen in streets around Cairo — Rarely are heads of state are given such a welcome by the people.

“He is a popular president in Egypt. We like him and the Russian people, and hope both countries strengthen economic ties,” resident Asyeda Ahmed said.

A fleet of jets escorted Putin’s presidential aircraft after it entered Egyptian airspace. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi welcomed his guest at the airport. Both leaders immediately went into talks at the airport.

Russia had supplied arms to Egypt in 2014 and a new deal worth $3 billion has been discussed.

“The arms deal is important. Egypt is diversifying its military sources especially after the U.S. postponed the Apache deliveries to Egypt. Russian weaponry is very sophisticated and cheaper than others as well as MiG-29 and anti-missile rockets that… Egypt needs for the war on terrorism,” Ahmed Samy, a researcher from the Ahram Center for Strategic Studies said.

The two leaders also reviewed enhancing economic cooperation. Bilateral trade had increased by 80 percent in 2014 against 2013 but only stands at a low $4.6 billion.

Monday’s talks lasted for over an hour as the two heads of states left for dinner at the opera house.