Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for Turkey’s bid to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Russia. The meeting took place on Tuesday, amidst a backdrop of expanding economic ties between the two nations.
According to reports, Putin welcomed Turkey’s interest in the BRICS organization, which currently comprises five member states – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bloc has expanded to include nine members, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joining the fold in January.
Fidan was in Russia to attend the BRICS+ meeting of foreign ministers, which kicked off in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. The expanded format of the meeting includes 15 additional countries, including Turkey, which has been exploring alternative economic partnerships due to its stalled membership talks with the European Union.
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Turkey’s interest in BRICS is driven by its desire to expand its economic ties and challenge the dominant US and European-led global governance structures. Fidan has emphasized the potential benefits of membership, citing the bloc’s ability to offer a “good alternative” to the EU.
The meeting between Putin and Fidan comes as Turkey has been seeking to strengthen its economic ties with Russia. However, Putin has warned that Turkey’s close economic ties with the West could jeopardize its economic relations with Russia. The Russian President cautioned that any restrictions on economic relations with Russia could result in greater losses for the Turkish economy than gains.
Turkey’s bid to join BRICS is seen as a significant development in the country’s efforts to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce its dependence on Western institutions. The move is also likely to be viewed as a strategic response to Turkey’s ongoing tensions with the EU over issues such as human rights and foreign policy.
The full implications of Turkey’s potential membership of BRICS will be closely watched in the coming months. As the country continues to navigate its complex relationships with regional powers, one thing is clear: Turkey’s pursuit of economic independence and diversification is likely to remain a key driver of its foreign policy agenda.