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Rabat – Russia has replaced its ambassador to Algeria, Igor Belyaev, with Valerian Shuvaev, who served the same post in Rabat, according to new appointments by the Russian government.
The presidential decree detailing the diplomatic transfers said that Belyaev was “dismissed” from his post, and that Shuvaev has been “freed” from his work in Rabat to replace him.
The decision comes as the country is still grappling with western sanctions and trying to garner some level of international support amid its war in Ukraine.
Observers have noted the decision comes a few days after Belyaev commented to Algerian press saying that Moscow and Algiers are in constant “consultation” over the Western Sahara dispute.
With Morocco having maintained a relatively neutral position on the Moscow-Kyiv conflict, the development would suggest that Russia would like to keep diplomatic relations with Morocco and other nations good to keep precious international support.
Russia also announced on Friday that it has appointed Vladimir Baibakov to replace Shuvaev as ambassador to Rabat.
Baibakov led a prolific diplomatic career for Moscow before this most recent assignment.
He notably worked as a senior counselor in Russia’s embassy to the United States, as well as the Director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa in Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. Baibakov also served as Chief Diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Mauritania.
