Algeria to reopen Ukraine embassy after one-year closure

Moscow ally Algeria is set to reopen its embassy in Kyiv which has been closed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago, the foreign ministry said on Sunday.

"This decision comes within the framework of safeguarding the interests of the Algerian state," a ministry statement said, adding that the embassy would reopen soon but without providing details.

A charge d'affaires will run the mission when it reopens, it added.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had announced the planned reopening during a television broadcast on Friday, acknowledging Algeria's long-standing relations with Russia.

Algeria and Russia have solid trade links that saw exchanges between the two countries reach $3 billion in 2021.

They also have military ties and are members of OPEC+, a group of oil producers led by Russia, as well as the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.