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A Diplomatic Setback for Algeria: International Report Reveals Russia and China’s Disappointment towards the Polisario in Favor of Pragmatism
In a significant geopolitical shift reshaping the contours of the fabricated conflict over Western Sahara, an international strategic report has revealed a decline in the issue’s priority for Beijing and Moscow. This comes concurrently with intensive U.S. diplomatic efforts hosted in Madrid aimed at translating the “autonomy initiative” into a tangible political reality. This transformation, reflected in the new dynamics within the UN Security Council, confirms that economic interests and pragmatism are decisively superseding traditional political alignments in North Africa.
According to the recent report from the “CIDOB” research center, the abstention of both Russia and China from obstructing Security Council Resolution 2797, issued on October 31, 2025, was not without purpose; rather, it represented a calculated political decision. The two international powers concluded that this regional dispute did not warrant a diplomatic confrontation with the United States within the United Nations. Despite the close military ties between Moscow and Algeria, which considers the latter a primary client of Russian defense industries, the Kremlin opted to distance itself from escalating tensions with Washington over an issue that does not align with its vital interests.
In a similar vein, China has pursued a pragmatic course that reflects its foreign policy based on economic balance. Beijing, which has significantly increased its investment presence in Morocco under the “Belt and Road” initiative, has chosen to maintain a careful equilibrium in its relations with regional countries. The research center explains this dual behavior of Moscow and Beijing as a clear reflection of the current international phase, where geopolitical and economic calculations are advancing far beyond traditional alliances, even among parties with strategic partnerships.
The report does not limit itself to international stances but delves into the profound implications of the recent UN resolution, pointing out that it included a clear indication that Morocco’s autonomy proposal is “the most viable solution.” This factor represents, according to the document, a qualitative and fundamental shift in the Security Council’s approach to resolving the dispute, benefiting Morocco’s strategic position as a preferred and reliable partner to the U.S. in the region, amidst a comprehensive regional rearrangement of balances.
In line with this international momentum, the report unveiled a new and high-level U.S. diplomatic initiative aimed at breaking the stalemate, which manifested in direct meetings hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Madrid on February 8 and 9. These pivotal discussions brought together Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita with his counterparts from Algeria and Mauritania, alongside a representative from the Polisario Front. Their discussions primarily focused on the intricate details of the autonomy proposal and the practical mechanisms for its implementation on the ground.
Looking forward, attention is now directed towards the near future, with the report affirming that these meetings are likely to continue vigorously in the upcoming phase. The objective of this negotiation momentum, led by Washington, is to formulate a final and mutually agreed-upon framework for the application of autonomy, thereby solidifying the Moroccan proposal as the exclusive foundation and sole path to resolving this long-standing conflict.
