Algeria
The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, is visiting Algeria on Tuesday, a key ally of Moscow and a gas exporter increasingly sought after by Europe seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
Lavrov who arrived in Algiers on Monday evening is due to hold talks with his Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, and be received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, according to media reports.
The visit, Lavrov's first to Algeria since January 2019, coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Algeria.
On 18 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Mr Tebboune to discuss "coordination within the Opec", as well as the situation in Ukraine, according to the official Russian agency TASS.
Algeria, a leading gas exporter, supplies about 11% of the gas consumed in Europe, compared to 47% by Russia.
Several countries seeking to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies since the invasion of Ukraine have turned to Algeria, which is also a Moscow ally, but Algiers has a very limited capacity to increase its exports.
00:54
Russian military trainers arrive in Niger as relations deteriorate with the US
01:16
Russian forces kill two terror suspects in North Caucasus operation
02:26
Kenya and Central African Republic strengthen ties
00:51
Moscow attack: Russia arrests more attack plotters
01:10
Russia launches strikes on Ukrainian targets, Ukraine repels offensives
Go to video
HRW accuses Wagner of killing civilians with Malian army