Russia-Algeria 2025 Diplomatic, Trade, and Security Updates

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Wednesday (January 29) to discuss the increasing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The talks, aimed at boosting ties in several sectors, including finance, energy, and agriculture, are part of Patrushev’s working visit to Algiers. The meeting came on the same day that Russia’s new ambassador to Algeria, Aleksey Solomatin, presented his credentials to Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.

Patrushev stated that “We highly value the strategic nature of our countries’ relations. This is evidenced, among other things, by the closeness of our positions on most points of the international and regional agenda. And we are determined to maintain close coordination between our countries.”

The Algerian government has been bolstering ties with Moscow in recent years as part of efforts to diversify its economy amid deteriorating relations with France. In August, the oil-rich former French colony joined the BRICS New Development Bank, while Algiers barred French companies from competing for a wheat import contract last October and warned participants not to supply grain produced in France. At the time, the state-owned Algerian Inter-professional Office of Cereals reportedly tendered a purchase contract for over 500,000 tons of wheat and turned to Russia as its main supplier.

In mid-January, French officials said that Algeria is adopting a policy that aims to significantly reduce French economic presence from the country. Trade between Algeria and France, its largest trade partner, has fallen by 30% since the summer.

Russian trade is increasing in its place, with Russian agro-industrial product exports to Algeria increasing to US$850 million in 2024. The two countries signed a trade and security agreement last year, with Algeria also officially applying to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

In total, Russia-Algeria bilateral trade volumes doubled in 2024, with new deals expected to boost this further during 2025.