Robert Palladino, the US State Department’s Middle East affairs officer, stated at a meeting of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the arms deals with Russia are “very concerning” and could lead to US sanctions against Algeria under the Countering America’s Threats to America Act (CAATSA).
Algeria officially confirmed the purchase of fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-5VE (Su-57E) fighters from Russia in February 2025; with the finalization of the contract, Algeria became the first foreign country to gain access to this advanced Russian fighter.
The threat of sanctions against Algeria reflects Washington’s efforts to prevent the expansion of Russian weapons influence in North Africa and the Middle East.
