Rabat – Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to hold talks with his counterpart from Morocco, Nasser Bourita, amid reports suggesting a possible shift in Moscow’s stance on Western Sahara.
The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the news on X, stating that the talks will take place on Thursday.
“The agenda includes bilateral ties, the situation in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahara-Sahel region,” the ministry said.
The meeting comes as observers are anticipating a significant move from Russia – one of the strongest allies for Algeria’s regime – which harbors, finances, and supports Polisario’s independence claims in Western Sahara.
The anticipation came as Lavrov openly emphasized the viability of the autonomy initiative, considering that the Moroccan proposal is a” form of self-determination.”
“The Moroccan self-governance choice can constitute a successful solution, as long as it adheres to international law and receives the approval of all parties,” he said.
For Russia, once all parties agree on the initiative, it will also be acceptable for Moscow.
The statement comes a few weeks ahead of the Security Council vote, which will renew the mandate of the peacekeeping operation, MINURSO, later this month.
Lavrov’s remarks are particularly significant as they signal that Russia could align itself with the growing international momentum Morocco has built over the years.
Over 120 countries view the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the only viable and realistic solution to end the Western Sahara dispute.
This comes as Algeria’s regime continues to back Polisario’s separatist agenda, despite the clear and broad support for Morocco’s initiative as the sole politically acceptable framework to resolve the dispute regarding Rabat’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia, however, is fully aware of Algeria’s tactics and its insistence on outdated “self-determination” and “referendum rhetoric,” which have long been used to stall and undermine the UN-led political process.
For years, Algeria’s regime obstructed this process by refusing to shoulder its responsibility and direct role in the dispute. It continues to claim it is merely an observer despite its well-documented political, financial, and military support for Polisario, further hindering progress toward a negotiated solution.
UN Secretary General envoy Staffan de Mistura reiterated Algeria’s refusal, following his meeting earlier this year with Algeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Attaf, who said a solution to the dispute should be between Morocco and Polisario.
Morocco, however, is determined that Polisario has no legitimate standing to negotiate a political solution to the dispute, emphasizing the importance of Algeria’s involvement in the UN-led political process as a main party and not an observer.
It remains to be seen whether Russia’s Lavrov will announce a potential shift in Moscow’s position on Western Sahara during his talks with Bourita on Thursday.
Observers are also anticipating a change in the UN Security Council vote, which has been marked for years by either a rejection of the resolution from Russia or a full absence.
