Ahead of the Russia-Africa summit, Moscow has lauded the improvement in relations between Algeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Tatiana Dovgalenko, a senior official at the Russian Foreign Ministry, credited this thaw in relations—marked by the reopening of airspace and the resumption of joint government commissions—to the historical ties and political wisdom of regional leaders. Russia expressed its full support for this process, highlighting key economic projects such as the trans-Saharan gas pipeline. Dovgalenko also criticized Western and French involvement in the region, labeling it a source of instability, while confirming Russia's commitment to supporting regional security. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reiterated that the Algerian-Russian relationship is built on mutual benefit, a sentiment echoed by Vladimir Poutine, who described Algeria as one of Russia's closest friends and allies.