Lavrov’s remarks indicate Moscow has moved halfway toward recognising the Moroccan autonomy plan after years of backing a referendum on self-determination.
In a development coinciding with Russia’s presidency of the UN Security Council and preparations to discuss a new resolution on Western Sahara, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Moscow on Monday that Russia is ready to welcome Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a basis for resolving the conflict, provided it is endorsed by all parties.
Observers say Lavrov’s remarks indicate Moscow has moved halfway toward recognising the Moroccan autonomy plan after years of backing a referendum on self-determination. They note that Russia appears to be aligning itself with major powers that have embraced the Moroccan initiative, suggesting that Algeria and the Polisario Front may soon face a more explicitly pro-Moroccan stance from Moscow.
For the first time, the Russian government has responded positively to Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a realistic path to end the decades-old dispute. Lavrov said Moscow’s position rests on UN resolutions and supports the principle of self-determination “through dialogue” rather than “unilateral actions.” He added that the Moroccan plan could succeed “if all parties agree to it under UN supervision.”
Lavrov’s comments mark a departure from the classical Russian stance, which for years centred on self-determination through a referendum. By explicitly referencing the autonomy plan, Moscow has introduced a political shift in its diplomatic language on the issue.
The foreign minister noted that the Sahara question, on the international agenda for half a century, was once geared towards a referendum process. “But circumstances have since changed,” he said, adding that Morocco’s autonomy plan “could represent a viable solution, provided it aligns with UN resolutions and is acceptable to all parties.”
Moroccan academic and political analyst Hichem Moatadhed said Lavrov’s statement signalled a structural shift in Russia’s approach at a time when global geopolitical dynamics intersect with Moscow’s recalibrated strategies in the Arab world and Africa. He said the Russian stance effectively redefines Morocco’s autonomy plan as a form of self-determination consistent with the pragmatic logic defended by Rabat since 2007, while remaining within the legal framework underpinning Russia’s traditional position.
Moatadhed added that Moscow’s more positive tone toward the Moroccan initiative not only serves Morocco’s interests but also repositions Russia in North Africa as a power capable of balancing legal realism with diplomatic manoeuvring.
He said the real significance of Lavrov’s statement lies in its conceptual shift: by describing “self-determination through dialogue” rather than “unilateral measures,” Russia implicitly distances itself from the classical notion that equates self-determination exclusively with a referendum, bringing it closer to Morocco’s modern interpretation of autonomy as a form of self-governance within national sovereignty.
As part of ongoing diplomatic consultations, the Russian foreign ministry said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Vershinin met on October 9 in Moscow Morocco’s ambassador to Russia Lotfi Bouchaara. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, discussing upcoming contacts at various level and reaffirming both countries’ commitment to coordination and to supporting political and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts.
In September, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held a telephone discussion with Lavrov to reinforce political dialogue and traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, in what both sides described as a spirit of constructive engagement and mutual respect. The two ministers welcomed the progress achieved in bilateral ties.