Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described Algeria as a key strategic partner, ranking it as Russia's second-largest partner in Africa. During a media briefing in Moscow, Lavrov highlighted Algeria's historical anti-colonial stance and noted that the strategic partnership declaration between the two countries serves as a roadmap for deepening cooperation, particularly in energy. Addressing the Sahel region, he welcomed the resumption of ties between Algeria, Niger, and Mali, affirming Russia's support for this diplomatic shift. Conversely, Lavrov accused Paris of attempting to undermine regional stability, comparing these actions to France's previous role in Libya. Furthermore, the Russian diplomat reiterated his country's commitment to reforming the UN Security Council to ensure permanent representation for African nations, describing this as a necessary step to correct a historical injustice.