Turkiye will soon join BRICS, despite concerns from EU & US.
After years of speculation, Putin aide confirmed about Tukriye’s participation.
“Turkiye has applied for full membership. We will consider this application,” said Yuri Ushakov, BRICS chair and Russian President Putin’s foreign policy advisor.
BRICS is expected to discuss adding new members in a meeting in Russia next month.
Prez Erdogan is expected to attend BRICS summit in Kazan, scheduled for Sept 22–24.
Move comes as ally Erdogan vies to move away from West-led world order.
Turkiye frustrated over lack of progress in its decades-old bid to join EU.
Turkey NATO ally since 1952, EU talks stalled since 2005 over prez’s policies
In June 2024, US envoy Jeff Flake hoped Turkey didn’t enter BRICS.
Erdogan expressed desire to join BRICS since 2018, but it never formalised
Erdogan-led Turkiye has been seeking to enhance its global influence
Russian media gung-ho, but India silent on Pak-ally Erdogan joining BRICS
Strategically located at crossroads of Europe & Asia, Turkiye 17th largest economy
Turkiye key player in regional diplomacy, ties with emerging markets across Africa
BRICS a group of emerging market countries
Initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
In 2024, BRICS gained 4 new members: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE.
BRICS seen as counterweight to West-led EU, the G7 and NATO.
But BRICS lacks formal structure, enforcement mechanisms, and uniform rules and standards.