Algeria has intensified diplomatic outreach to Russia in early 2026, seeking stronger political, military, and diplomatic backing for its position on the Western Sahara conflict as the United States ramps up pressure to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory. In high-level talks held in Moscow on January 15–16, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, requesting Moscow to use its UN Security Council veto power to block any resolution endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan and to increase military-technical cooperation with Algiers.
Algeria, the main backer of the Polisario Front and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), views the Trump administration’s pro-Morocco tilt—reinforced by the 2020 Abraham Accords normalization deal—as a direct threat to regional stability and international law. Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s longstanding support for a UN-mediated referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara, calling Morocco’s autonomy proposal “unacceptable” and reiterating Moscow’s recognition of SADR.
The Kremlin also signaled willingness to expand arms deliveries, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing with Algeria, including advanced air-defense systems and electronic warfare equipment, as part of deepening strategic ties. In return, Algeria has offered Russia greater access to its Mediterranean ports and energy cooperation, including potential LNG supplies to offset European sanctions.
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