In a diplomatic move, Turkey has formally applied to join the BRICS group, marking a new step in its quest for global influence. The move, revealed by sources familiar with the matter, underscores President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s desire to diversify his country’s alliances beyond the West.
“Turkey can become a strong and prosperous country by improving its relations with the East and the West simultaneously,” Erdogan said in Istanbul over the weekend, setting the tone for the new direction. The bid to join the BRICS, a group comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, comes amid growing frustration over stalled European Union accession talks. It also reflects tensions with some NATO allies, particularly over their continued close ties with Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stressed the importance of the move: “BRICS represents a diversity of approaches in the global economic system,” he said last June.
This “double-dealing” strategy could offer Turkey new economic opportunities, including by attracting Chinese investment in the electric car sector. Ankara also aims to become an energy hub between Russia, Central Asia and Europe. However, Turkey maintains that EU membership remains “a strategic objective”. This diplomatic gap raises questions about the future balance of Turkish alliances and its impact on regional geopolitics. As the BRICS summit in Kazan approaches (October 22-24), all eyes will be on how current members react to this unexpected bid.
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