Algeria and Russia are preparing to sign a "strategic partnership agreement," which includes all sectors of economic cooperation during President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's upcoming visit to Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Tebboune in May 2020 to visit Russia, which never occurred due to the coronavirus pandemic. He renewed the invitation last July.
The Algerian side has yet to confirm that the visit will take place soon, which means that the country's authorities are keen to complete the arrangements for the agreement before announcing its exact date.
Last November, the Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, stated that the government was awaiting a proposal from the Algerian side to set the date, noting that it will likely to take place at the end of the year."
For his part, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said last month that he hopes Tebboune's visit to Moscow will take place before the end of the year, reiterating its importance for both countries.
Lamamra said they have a broad cooperation program between Algeria and Russia, adding that the two countries are partners and essential to each other.
"We are conducting a high-level political dialogue. We hope President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Russia will begin a new phase in our relations", Lamamra added.
Observers said Tebboune's absence from the US-Africa summit in Washington expresses Algeria's rejection of US pressure on countries to isolate Russia against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis.
Algeria prefers to coordinate with Russia on major international issues, but it is keen to avoid anything disturbing its relations with Washington, given the interests that unite them.
Media sources said negotiations are underway to conclude an agreement framing Russian military supplies to Algeria for the next ten years.
According to the sources, the Algerian military leadership is interested in acquiring submarines, aircrafts, and new air defense systems.
The 2023 Budget Law has set the defense budget at $23 billion, the largest since independence in 1960.
The remarkable military rapprochement between the two countries angered members of the US Congress.
Last October, they demanded their government impose sanctions on Algeria under the pretext of arms deals linking it to Russia.
