President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

President Abdel Fattah al Sisi will start Friday a two-day visit to Russia to attend the country's celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Victory Day at an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders will hold a meeting to follow up the progress achieved regarding the outcome of Putin's successful Cairo visit in February.

President Sisi will participate in the Russian celebrations along with a number of world leaders and international organizations, including leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the presidents of China, India, South Africa and a number of European and Latin American countries, and the United Nations secretary general, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said.

Sisi will attend a banquet held by the Russian president on Friday night in honor of the visiting leaders, Youssef said.