[3] Formal diplomatic relations between the Russian Empire and the Egypt Eyalet began with the appointment of Kondraty von Tonus [ru] as Consul-general, based in Alexandria.

When this was overthrown by the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution later that year, Smirnov refused to recognise the new regime, and was dismissed from his post by the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs on 9 December 1917.

Smirnov nevertheless continued to operate as envoy on behalf of Russian interests until 6 October 1923 when the newly nominally independent Kingdom of Egypt ceased to recognise the former imperial representatives.

In 1926 a fall in the world price of cotton led to economic crisis in Egypt, and in 1927 talks between Soviet and Egyptian representatives took place in Ankara concerning the reestablishment of trade links.

The Egyptian ambassador in London, Hassan Pasha Nashat [de], met with his Soviet counterpart, Ivan Maisky, and suggested a resumption of diplomatic relations.

The status of the official representative was raised from envoy to ambassador in 1954, and continued after the formation of the United Arab Republic between Egypt and Syria on 22 February 1958.