Russia has stated that imposing sanctions against any BRICS member would prevent a country from joining the group.
According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, any potential member of the BRICS economic bloc cannot participate in sanctions against existing members. This statement, made on Thursday, outlines a key condition for joining the organization.
The BRICS group, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has since expanded to include nine member states. The group is scheduled to discuss further expansion at its upcoming summit in Kazan, Russia, later this month.
”To join BRICS, a country must pursue an independent foreign policy, play a significant role in international and regional affairs, foster positive relations with other BRICS members, and refrain from participating in illegitimate sanctions against any member of the association,” Ryabkov explained at a press conference in Moscow. He emphasized that Russia considers the sanctions imposed by the US and its allies over the Ukraine conflict to be illegal and unjustified.
Russia, currently holding the rotating chairmanship of BRICS, will host the group’s annual summit in Kazan later this month. Numerous countries are currently seeking membership, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Senegal, Thailand, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
”The doors to BRICS remain open,” Ryabkov stated, but he also stressed that expansion should not be the sole focus. Russia’s primary objective this year is to “ensure organic and complete integration” of the newly accepted members into the “multifaceted framework of the BRICS partnership,” while simultaneously preserving the effectiveness of the international association’s mechanisms and operational formats, he explained.
Ryabkov further emphasized that expansion should always be aimed at enhancing BRICS’ capabilities and international influence. He reminded reporters that all decisions within the association are made through consensus.
The BRICS organization was established in 2006 and welcomed South Africa as a member in 2011. At the beginning of 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joined the group, although the founders’ original five-letter acronym was retained.
Current BRICS member countries represent about 46% of the world’s population and over 36% of global GDP, according to estimates by global financial institutions. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that at least 34 countries have expressed interest in joining the organization.