Russian FM Commends Morocco’s ‘Balanced, Measured’ Position on Ukraine Conflict

Marrakech – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed gratitude for Morocco’s “balanced, measured position on the situation in Ukraine and surrounding areas” during the high-level meeting with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in Moscow this Thursday.

“In Rabat, as in most other global south and east capitals, there is understanding that sustainable settlement is impossible without addressing the root causes of the crisis – primarily security threats to Russia, long created by NATO,” Lavrov stated.

He added that another key issue lies in “the gross violations of the rights of Russian and Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine, including religious restrictions and the banning of the Russian Orthodox Church,” during a joint press conference following their discussions.

This is not the first time a Russian official has commended Morocco’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. In late 2024, Russia’s Ambassador to Rabat, Vladimir Baybakov, made similar comments in an interview with TASS news agency.

“Russia appreciates highly the balanced position of Morocco,” Baybakov said, noting with satisfaction that the North African country had not engaged “in anti-Russian actions” such as sanctions imposed by the European Union and United States.

Morocco has notably abstained from several United Nations votes condemning Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Moroccan delegation again abstained from voting on a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN special rapporteur monitoring human rights in Russia, a text Moscow views as politically motivated.

Morocco seeks to maintain cordial relations with Russia ahead of key United Nations Security Council meetings on the Western Sahara dispute. Bourita and Lavrov discussed this matter extensively during their recent meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 80th session.

Read also: The Shockwaves of the Ukraine-Russia War in North Africa

According to a report published last year by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace titled “A Mixed Balance Sheet: Russia’s Uneven Influence in the Maghreb,” Morocco has substantial economic ties with Russia despite not being a focal point of Russia’s regional strategy compared to Algeria and Libya.

The report notes that trade between Morocco and Russia grew by 42% in 2021 alone. Morocco depends heavily on Russian imports of key agricultural products such as ammonia and fertilizer, which are vital to its farming sector. Coal, petroleum, fishing, and nuclear energy are other areas of substantial cooperation.

“Morocco has tried to steer a middle course,” the report states, referring to the kingdom’s response to Western pressure on Russia since the start of the Ukraine conflict.

This diplomatic balancing act was evident in Morocco’s actions toward both sides of the conflict. While abstaining from UN votes against Russia, Morocco was also the first Maghreb country to send military aid to Ukraine in the form of 20 renovated T-72B main battle tanks.

The North African country maintains its status as a major non-NATO ally of the United States and regularly participates in US-sponsored military exercises.

The Carnegie report also observes that Morocco “reportedly seeks to preserve Russia’s position of qualified neutrality on the Western Sahara dispute.” Despite Moscow’s declared support for Sahrawi “self-determination,” some analysts believe “Morocco has been encouraged by the Kremlin’s voting record at the United Nations.”

The spillover of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has increasingly affected North Africa. Ukraine has announced plans to expand its diplomatic presence in Africa, intending to increase its diplomatic missions from 13 to 23 in the near future, while Russia currently maintains 47 embassies across the continent.

The Carnegie report concludes that, like other Maghreb states, Morocco will likely continue charting an autonomous path. “Leery of picking sides, governments in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia have long preferred to keep their options open,” it states. “They continue to hedge and diversify their relations with the many other powers on the scene.”

During today’s meeting, Lavrov and Bourita signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Russian-Moroccan inter-ministerial working committee aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

They also discussed preparations for the upcoming tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership agreement signed by King Mohammed VI and President Vladimir Putin.