Russia Prepares for BRICS Summit Amid Growing Interest from New Members

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov held a briefing on Thursday to discuss the upcoming BRICS summit, which will take place in Russia later this month. Ryabkov announced that 30 delegations have confirmed their participation, with potential new members, including Turkey, whose application to join BRICS was submitted in September, set to be discussed.

The minister also indicated that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine might feature on the summit’s agenda. “Russia remains open to a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict,” Ryabkov said, signalling a possible opportunity for dialogue during the October meeting.

BRICS, originally founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. In recent years, the alliance has experienced significant growth, with new members such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates joining the bloc. Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in becoming a member, while Azerbaijan has formally submitted its application.

With the summit approaching, BRICS is positioning itself as an increasingly influential global organization, attracting interest from a diverse group of countries looking to join its ranks. The gathering will be an important platform for discussing geopolitical, economic, and diplomatic issues that affect member states and beyond.

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