Anton Mardasov, an independent Russian analyst, believes that in light of growing great-power competition, coordination between Russia and Algeria could shift to non-military issues, and Moscow should offer to build a nuclear power plant.
He said in a statement to ‘Middle East Eye’ that negotiations are likely to intensify between Russia and Algeria, especially as they are about to sign a strategic partnership document, which will include certainly questions of military and technical cooperation, according to him.
Anton Mardasov explained that Moscow “will take steps to show that the war in Ukraine in no way affects its position in the region or its military exports.
He added that Algeria has taken a somewhat pro-Russian stance in the situation with Ukraine, which resonates with Moscow, and is preparing to become more active in the Sahel region.
On the other hand, other scholars believe that Moscow faces great competition in Algeria, with an attempt to pressure Algeria from countries hostile to Russia in the form of the United States of America.
Mark Katz, a professor of politics at George Mason University in the United States, explained that the United States would not oppose the import of weapons by Algeria from European Union countries and of NATO in the current circumstances.
Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to reconsider Algeria’s relationship with Moscow.
During his visit to Algiers, Blinken said that countries in North Africa and the Middle East have already suffered the consequences of Russian military campaigns.
Katz expects Moscow to take advantage of the upcoming joint Desert Shield military exercises between Algeria and Russia, scheduled for November near the Moroccan border, to “keep Algeria on its side”.
He explained: “If Moscow wants Algeria to remain a loyal customer, it must offer this customer what it wants.
