Why Libya matters in Moscow’s challenge to Washington?

The recent American military posturing near Libya has quickly elicited a Russian response. After US B-52 strategic bombers conducted flyovers alongside British forces above Sirte on 26 February 2025, followed by the USS Mount Whitney’s appearances in Tripoli (20 April) and Benghazi (21 April), Moscow has countered by sending a high-level diplomat to Libya’s capital.

Alexander Kishniak, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, arrived in Tripoli on 28 April 2025. He delivered a verbal message from the Kremlin to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh that emphasised strengthening Libyan-Russian relations.

According to the Government of National Unity’s media office, “Kishniak’s message underscored the importance of bilateral relations, enhanced cooperation, and reactivating the Joint Libyan-Russian High Committee.” The same source quoted Dbeibeh as emphasising “the building of balanced relations with Russia based on respect for Libya’s sovereignty and stability, serving mutual interests between both countries.”

This diplomatic exchange represents a new chapter in the ongoing American-Russian competition for influence in Libya—a struggle where Libya finds itself as the vulnerable third party. The critical questions facing Tripoli’s government are multifaceted: How can it address Russian military presence on Libyan soil that poses existential challenges to state sovereignty? Is it possible to balance economic cooperation with Russia whilst confronting security risks? Can Libya protect its national interests within such an asymmetric relationship?

Russia’s approach mirrors Western tactics used throughout the Arab world—compartmentalising political and economic relations. This allows Moscow to pursue economic partnerships while simultaneously undermining Libyan sovereignty through military deployments, base establishments, interference in neighbouring countries, and support for Khalifa Haftar’s forces to maintain political division. Meanwhile, Russia extends economic cooperation offers to western Libya’s political leadership under attractive but ultimately deceptive pretences.

The gravest danger may be Libya’s transformation into a proxy battlefield in the larger Russia-Western confrontation—a scenario that could entangle the country in a destructive great power competition.

While some pragmatists argue that political realities necessitate engagement with Russia despite these concerns, Libya’s genuine challenge remains finding equilibrium between immediate political expediencies and its long-term national interests. This balancing act will determine whether Libya can maintain its sovereignty whilst navigating relations with these competing global powers.