Russia announced on Monday that it is ready to welcome Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a potential framework to resolve the Sahara dispute, provided that it is accepted by all parties and implemented under United Nations supervision.
Speaking from Moscow during a meeting with Arab journalists, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed a notable evolution in Moscow’s position ahead of the UN Security Council’s upcoming session on the Sahara, expected by the end of October — a session that Russia itself will preside over.
“For the first time, the Russian government expresses openness to Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a realistic option for settling the Sahara conflict,” Lavrov said, describing it as one of the forms of self-determination recognized by the United Nations.
Lavrov explained that Russia’s position on the Sahara issue “is based on UN resolutions,” emphasizing that Moscow supports the principle of self-determination “through dialogue, not unilateral actions.” He added, “The Moroccan autonomy proposal can succeed, provided that all parties agree and that it takes place under UN auspices.”
The Russian diplomat recalled that the Sahara question, which has been on the international agenda for five decades, was initially oriented toward a referendum option. “But the situation has since evolved,” he said, pointing out that Morocco’s autonomy plan “falls within the framework of self-determination options.”
“This option can indeed be a solution,” Lavrov stated, “as long as it is consistent with UN principles and resolutions. If it is acceptable to all parties, it will be acceptable to us as well.”
Referring to the United States’ position, Lavrov remarked that Washington “has taken another path” by recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara during the first term of former President Donald Trump. “For them, the issue is settled,” he noted, “but for us, it will not be considered closed unless all parties feel that the decision reflects a fair balance of interests.”
Lavrov also hinted at the possibility of a new UN resolution that could redefine the mission of MINURSO — originally established to organize a referendum — into a new format focused on implementing autonomy. He said Russia would consider this framework once adopted by the Security Council.
“Currently, the UN Security Council resolution remains the only framework we have,” Lavrov concluded. “A new UN decision must be prepared based on different principles of settlement, and when such initiatives are recognized by all parties concerned, we will be ready to discuss them.”
