From the Soviet Era to the Present: Russia’s Increased Presence in Libya and Italy’s Critical Role

Russia’s increased presence in Libya, which has been reported recently, is not surprising according to Pietro Batacchi, director of Rid – an Italian defense magazine and a key player in Italy’s defense sector. According to Batacchi, the Russian goal is to establish a naval base in Benghazi or secure a foothold in North Africa. Access to warm water has always been a critical element of Russian foreign policy, as explained by the expert in a commentary following the visit of the cruiser ‘Varyag’ and frigate ‘Admiral Shbashnikov’ to Tobruk’s naval base in Cyrenaica.

Relations between Putin and General Haftar are strengthening, according to Batacchi. The Soviet Navy had a consistent presence in Libya during the past, indicating continuity in Russian foreign policy. He argues that there is no difference between Putin’s Russia and the former Soviet Union led by Brezhnev. Russia’s need for warm sea access due to its northern cold seas being frozen for most of the year plays a crucial role in this decision.

Batacchi also emphasizes the escalating Russian presence in Cyrenaica as a significant trend, especially after the 2015 Sochi summit where Africa emerged as a prominent direction of Russian foreign policy. NATO is closely monitoring heightened Russian presence in Mediterranean waters due to this trend. The competition between Russia’s fleet and NATO Navy highlights the pivotal role played by Italy’s Navy since 2015 when US shifted focus from Mediterranean towards Asia-Pacific theater and delegated tasks to allies such as Italy.