Lavrov and Attaf discuss Western Sahara in Moscow
Russian and Algerian foreign ministers met amid UN Security Council talks on a US draft resolution.
Russian Foreign Minister Serguéi Lavrov discussed the Western Sahara issue with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf in Moscow on October 27, 2026. The meeting occurred during the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit. Both ministers also reviewed bilateral relations and other regional matters.
The talks took place as the UN Security Council held intensive consultations on a US draft resolution concerning Western Sahara and the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Lavrov noted the meeting was a good opportunity to examine cooperation, including trade, economic, and military-technical ties with Algeria.
Russia, a permanent Security Council member with veto power, maintains its stance for a political solution within the UN framework, emphasizing self-determination. Moscow has abstained on Western Sahara resolutions since 2018, citing disagreements with the US approach to drafting resolutions.
Why it mattersThe foreign ministers of Russia and Algeria discussed the Western Sahara issue, affecting the people of Western Sahara.