Libya–Russia relations (; ) are the bilateral relations between the State of Libya and the Russian Federation. Russia has an embassy in Tripoli, with Libya having an embassy in Moscow. Diplomatic contact between Russia and Libya has generally been close and productive, seeing as both countries have had and continue to see volatile relations with the United States. Former Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi was a close ally of the Soviet Union, despite his country's membership in the Non-Aligned Movement. Russia also regards Libya as one of its strongest allies in the Arab world, and has supported stabilization of the country following the aftermath of the Libyan Civil War. After the outbreak of new conflict, Russia has primarily backed the Tobruk-based House of Representatives over the UN-backed Government of National Accord and various other factions.
The current Russian ambassador to Libya is Aydar Aganin, while Libyan ambassador to Russia is Emhemed A.E. Almaghrawi. In the building of the Libyan embassy in Moscow, there are also representatives of the Libyan House of Representatives present. The Russian government implemented this measure.
History
Soviet era
After the overthrow of King Idris in Libya and the coming to power of Muammar Gaddafi on 1 September 1969, the Soviet Union became the first country to recognize the new republican regime on 4 September 1969. The leadership of the Libyan Arab Republic immediately declared its desire to develop cooperation with the USSR in all areas. The following years became a period of intense political, trade, economic, cultural and other ties between the two states. The head of Libya paid official visits to the USSR in 1976, 1981 and 1985.
Historically, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya under Muammar Gaddafi had good relations with the Soviet Union, which provided the Arab nation with weaponry and military advisers throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Libya backed, along with the Soviet Union, Idi Amin's regime in Uganda, the PLO in Lebanon, Marxist guerrillas in Chile, the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, Angolan-Cuban forces in the Border War against South Africa and the Ethiopian government against insurgents. Libyan support for anti-imperialist forces led to the US bombing of Libya on April 15, 1986.
1991–2011
In January 2007, Mustafa Tajouri was posted as the new Ambassador of Libya to the Russian Federation, and he presented his credentials to Vladimir Putin on 13 April 2007. In April 2008, Vladimir Putin visited Libya, which was the first visit by a Russian President to Libya.
Although Russia has criticized NATO's campaign in Libya, Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Colonel Gaddafi lost legitimacy and requested that he step down. Nonetheless, Russia maintained a diplomatic presence in Tripoli with the Gaddafi government until September 2011 when Moscow switched recognition to the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council.
Vladimir Putin lashed out at the United States for killing Gaddafi and asked "They showed to the whole world how he (Gaddafi) was killed; there was blood all over. Is that what they call a democracy?" Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Gaddafi should not have been killed, and added that his death should be investigated.
Russia had joined the arms sanctions against Libya, suspending all contracts for the supply of military hardware to the country in 2011 during the First Libyan Civil War. On 7 May 2012, Russia lifted its embargo on arms supplies to Libya.
Since 2011
In 2013, after the Russian embassy in Libya was attacked, all Russian diplomats and their families were evacuated. They were said to return after the present interim government of Libya can protect the Russian diplomats and embassy.