Asked about Russian investment and the work of the Business Council, the Algerian president stressed the historic nature of relations between the two countries.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made this statement in an interview with national media broadcast on 3 October 2026. Below is an excerpt containing the question and answer, with Russian subtitles.
Question: Algerian–Russian relations have recently seen a noticeable increase in activity. Cultural cooperation is growing, and cooperation on investment is expanding, including through the Joint Algerian–Russian Business Council. Should we expect more active participation by Russian companies and an increase in Russian investment in Algeria?
Abdelmadjid Tebboune: We do not view relations with Russia in such a narrow context. Algeria’s relations with Russia began before independence and continue to this day. They have remained unchanged throughout this time. Our countries maintain a strong friendship based on mutual benefit. If this friendship develops towards closer economic integration, we would welcome that.
We do not consider our relations with Russia exceptional or unusual. For us, they are natural. For decades, both before and after Algeria’s independence, these ties have retained their scale and strength. We understand each other well, even when we do not meet in person.
As for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, I am now in my seventh year as president, and during this time he has visited Algeria only once. But that certainly does not mean that our countries have grown apart. President Vladimir Putin and I stay in touch by telephone and resolve issues as they arise. Cooperation also continues between various government departments and sectors of the economy: delegations regularly travel in both directions.
There is nothing unusual about this. One cannot speak of a sharp strengthening or weakening of relations without taking the specific circumstances into account.
The journalist’s follow-up: There have been suggestions that developments in the Sahel have led to some cooling of relations between Algeria and Russia.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune: But Algeria will not give up its friendship with Russia. Nor will we give up our friendship with the United States and China. Some may think that maintaining these relationships simultaneously is impossible, but for Algeria it is entirely natural. This is a characteristic of Algerian policy and the Algerian character.
We maintain the same distance from all our friends and treat them with respect. Some believe that Algeria must necessarily align itself with one side. But we do not align ourselves with anyone. We belong to Algeria and the Algerian people, and to them alone.
Some try to see harm to our country in this policy, but there is no basis for that. Russia’s presence in Algeria is natural, just as the presence of American companies is natural. For us, this is a normal situation. No one has the right to judge us for our choice of partners, and anyone who tries to do so is mistaken.
If a Chinese company comes to Algeria to carry out geological exploration, or if we develop trade relations with China, no one has the right to demand explanations from us. We are an independent state and know for ourselves what serves our interests.
Algeria will continue to follow this course. It enables the country to retain trust and standing: we defend our interests through respect, goodwill and friendship with everyone.
Editorial translation of an excerpt from the interview. Sources: Official channel of the Algerian Presidency, 3 October 2026; ENTV, 4 October 2026. The text version is abridged; the video retains the full selected excerpt.
