Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Ryabkov, made an important announcement about joining the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and several other countries. He stated that countries wanting to join BRICS cannot impose sanctions on any of its current members. This condition is crucial for any nation hoping to be part of the growing group.
What Is BRICS?
BRICS started as a small group of four countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Over time, it has grown to include nine members and is planning to welcome even more. This month, BRICS will hold a summit in Kazan, Russia, to discuss future expansion and how to make the group stronger.
The Rules for Joining
During a press conference, Ryabkov explained that to become a member of BRICS, a country must:
- Follow an independent policy.
- Play an active role in global and regional issues.
- Build friendly relationships with current BRICS nations.
- Avoid joining in any sanctions against BRICS members.
He emphasized that Russia considers the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies over the Ukraine conflict as illegal and unjustified. This means that any new member must respect the existing members and not take part in actions that could harm them.
A Growing Interest in BRICS Membership
Russia is keen on expanding BRICS and has received interest from many countries wanting to join. Some of the nations currently seeking membership include:
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Honduras
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Palestine
- Senegal
- Thailand
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Ryabkov mentioned that the doors to BRICS are still open, but he stressed that adding new members should not be just for the sake of growing the group. Instead, it should aim to enhance the power and influence of BRICS in the world.
Why This Matters
BRICS is an influential group, accounting for nearly half of the world’s population and a significant portion of global GDP. With at least 34 countries expressing interest in joining, the organization is set to play a crucial role in shaping international relations in the future.
As the summit in Kazan approaches, it will be interesting to see which countries join and how they will adapt to these new rules. Will they be willing to forgo sanctions in favor of being part of this powerful alliance? Only time will tell!
