During the recent 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, the world witnessed a significant moment in international relations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about Türkiye’s desire to join BRICS, an economic group that promotes respect for international laws and practical solutions. Türkiye, which applied to become a full member in September, is the first country from NATO to take this step.
Lavrov welcomed Türkiye’s application, emphasizing that BRICS represents a coalition of countries that together make up 45% of the world’s population. He stated that BRICS aims to strengthen ties with nations that are part of the Global Majority—countries that prioritize multilateral approaches, value their independence in foreign policy, and resist unilateral sanctions.
The Kazan summit was particularly notable as it marked the first gathering of BRICS after its recent expansion. In addition to Türkiye, four new members—Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates—joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in this influential group. This expansion reflects BRICS’ growing importance on the global stage.
Lavrov pointed out that at the summit, the BRICS nations chose to come together more closely. He mentioned that 13 countries, including Türkiye, became “partner members,” a new status that aims to foster collaboration and mutual benefit. He expressed confidence that Türkiye would contribute significantly to the future development of BRICS, adding that decisions about membership would be made by consensus, respecting the choices of all current members and Türkiye itself.
Türkiye’s move to join BRICS has raised eyebrows in the West, with some officials expressing concern. However, NATO chief Mark Rutte clarified that Türkiye’s involvement with BRICS does not conflict with its membership in NATO, which is led by the United States.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye also attended the BRICS summit, where he met with President Vladimir Putin. Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to fostering dialogue with BRICS, highlighting that his country has already built strong relationships with existing member states based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Erdogan believes that enhancing cooperation between BRICS and similar groups can lead to fair global development and security. His statements suggest that Türkiye aims to play a key role in this evolving alliance, paving the way for a new chapter in international relations where emerging economies come together to challenge traditional power structures.
As Türkiye takes this bold step towards joining BRICS, the world watches closely. The implications of this move could reshape not only Türkiye’s position on the global stage but also the dynamics of power among nations. The question remains: will Türkiye’s involvement in BRICS strengthen this alliance and influence the future of global politics?
