Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed he will attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24. The confirmation came from Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vlad Putin.
Ushakov told us that the invite was extended to Turkey, and Erdogan’s swift acceptance shows how enthusiastic he is about the prospect of joining the bloc.
This comes as Turkey struggles with a complicated foreign policy situation caused by stalled European Union membership talks and frictions within NATO.
The country has already formally applied to join BRICS. Erdogan’s administration is pushing for a foreign policy that does not force Turkey to choose sides between the East and the West.
“We are engaging with both Eastern and Western nations for mutual benefit,” the president has often said. Putin has said that the summit will focus on the inclusion of new members, making Turkey’s application a key topic of discussion.
But, some analysts argue that Turkey’s increasing ties with Russia and China could strain relations within NATO. This will probably be viewed as Turkey moving away from the Western-led order, potentially complicating NATO discussions on collective security.
Yet, others believe Turkey’s application for BRICS membership should not be seen as a complete rejection of NATO. Instead, it reflects Turkey’s strategy to diversify its diplomatic relations and improve its strategic autonomy.
The BRICS offers alternative investment opportunities, especially through its New Development Bank, which could be a source of financial relief for Turkey amid its ongoing economic challenges.
Erdogan hopes that stronger economic ties with BRICS countries will help Turkey leverage its strategic location as a bridge between Europe and Asia.
Such positioning could also align with NATO’s economic interests in the region, creating a complex but potentially beneficial relationship for all parties involved.
Open dialogue about Turkey’s goals could help NATO better understand its ally’s changing priorities and reduce any misunderstandings about its alignment.
The expanded BRICS group now includes 11 member states with a combined population of about 3.5 billion people and an economy worth over $28.5 trillion, representing around 28% of global GDP.
Russia wants to increase BRICS’ role in the international financial system and facilitate the integration of new participants during its 2024 presidency.
