Russia has suspended BRICS expansion. It happened on the eve of the XVI summit under the motto “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security” when a multitude of countries with interconnected interest are scheduled for converge in Kazan, capital city of the antonomous Republic of Tatarstan, Russia’s window to the lands of Islam and 2024 BRICS+ capital.
BRICS, most often described as an informal association comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has unexpectedly backed away from its symbolic rhetoric of enlargement or expansion under Russia’s leadership. It has enrolled five new members: Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, thus transforming BRICS into a powerful association that challenges United States and Europe for their rules-based order and hegemony. Assessing its trending line of activities, BRICS unreservedly aspires to re-arrange the global economic architecture, criticizes the ‘exceptionalism’ of the well-established institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
In addition, BRICS has set significant task to ensure a fairer interconnectedness between states, and enlist their active participation in the reconstruction of global economic architecture away from existing unipolarity. In order to realize this, BRICS introduced the concept of ‘de-dollarization’ and the term ‘multipolarity’ to the admiration of majority of developing countries in the Global South. An appreciated driver for this process is BRICS platform created to voice out broader common objectives, to engage in steadfast reforms and to roadmap better alternative socio-economic and political directions.
Expansion Controversy
Under Kremlin’s control during 2024, BRICS is envisioned on three distinctive policy principles: a shift towards bolstering a new economic architecture, respect for equal rights and protection of sovereignty, and sustaining a fairer participation in international relations. In a typical practice and as the geopolitical contest widens, BRICS approach focuses on ways to limit United States and Europe’s overarching strategic interests around the world. Then moreover, academic narratives have re-enforced the primary facts that BRICS is being transformed into a consolidated force to counterbalance Western-led economic institutions such as the G7, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
Long before it took over the association’s directorship in January 2024, Russia intensified BRICS’s flagship policy of boosting its numerical strength, with unique reports indicating that there were more than 30 countries worldwide (principally in Latin America, Asia and Africa) ready for ascension, ultimately to become full-fledged members.
At South Africa’s 15th Summit held under President Cyril Ramaphosa, several countries had expressed interest in ascending the BRICS association, but only five (5) finally joined. Th official documents, as stipulated by the guidelines, set no concrete criteria or rules for admission except using the flexible term “consensus” – a general agreement at the summit – utilized in the selection process. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, under the Russian BRICS chairmanship, special attention would be expanding the “circle of BRICS friends” and this has often reflected in official statements by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ascension Procedures
Discussions about the expansion and entry of new members have been there for some years. BRICS is the acronym composed of the first letters of the countries’ names in English. The term BRIC was originally coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill at the University of Manchester, and with South Africa it was renamed BRICS. Until today, there is no formal application process as such to join BRICS, but any hopeful government must receive unanimous backing from existing BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – to receive an invitation.
Historically, since 2017 it was China that insisted on promoting the BRICS+ format to attract a large number of non-participating countries to the association. BRICS scope of activities has indeed widened to include issues relating to education and culture, health and living standards, science and technology, finance and politics. Now of course, many developing countries appreciate in building partnership with BRICS. But often asked – for quality or for quantity?
At the Primakov Readings held in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked “the trends shaping the multipolar order are new realities. The unbalanced and unfair model of globalization is becoming a thing of the past. The emergence of new global development centres, the increasing self-awareness of many developing countries and their refusal to blindly follow former colonial powers.”
Today, new players representing the Global South and Global East have stepped onto the international political stage. The geopolitical ambitions of the new global players are buttressed by their economic potential. Their numbers are growing, according Sergey Lavrov, and to support his argument, he made reference to President Vladimir Putin who said at the G20 extraordinary summit on November 2023, that a “significant portion of global investment, trade and consumer activity is shifting to the Asian, African and Latin American regions, which are home to the majority of the world’s population.”
BRICS Changing Position
The Annual Primakov Readings, created in memory of the foreign policy stalwart, former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov (October 1929 – June 2015), attracts both local and foreign academics and policy experts. As a tradition, Putin and Lavrov in addressing participants highlighted Russia’s policy directions, challenges and achievements. At the Primakov Readings held in June 2024, the extraordinary key point was an announcement by Sergey Lavrov over ‘suspension’ of BRICS new membership. In mid-June, Lavrov hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers Council in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod. The BRICS Foreign Ministers decided to suspend admission of new members and this step reflected in the final documents.
Local and foreign media reported (https://tass.com/politics/1808415) Lavrov’s statement: “By the overwhelming majority, the ten members decided to ‘take a pause’ with new members to ‘take in’ the new members who have doubled the association. At the same time, we are working of categories of partner countries as stages ahead of a full-fledged membership.” After hosting the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Nizhny Novgorod from June 10-11, Lavrov explained that BRICS would use the pause to draw up a list of categories for BRICS partner countries that will serve as stepping stones toward full membership. However, Russia will promote “like-minded countries,” he added. (https://sputnikglobe.com/20240625/brics-to-pause-new-admissions-focus-on-integrating-newcomers–lavrov-1119130815.html)
Understandably, BRICS members have decided to “take a pause’ in terms of admitting new members. The partner-country model in line with paragraph 92 of the Johannesburg II Declaration. At the Johannesburg declaration under South African presidency in 2023, BRICS countries tasked the foreign ministers to further develop the BRICS partner-country model, a list of prospective partner countries, and share a report before the Kazan Summit.
In a media release after June 10-11, BRICS foreign ministers meeting, noted prospects for promoting strategic partnership within BRICS, including the establishment of a new category of “partner countries” and suspension of new members from from the Global South and Global East. As per the agreements reached at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in 2023, the ministers reviewed the efforts to coordinate the modalities of the new category, BRICS partner countries.
On January 1, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined BRICS, making it a 10-member bloc, while Argentina has pulled out of its plans to join the grouping and until today Saudi Arabia has not formalized its participation but has been taking part in BRICS meetings. Russia took over the presidency on January 1, and hold its chairmanship of BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024.
BRICS members and other countries will be ready to reciprocate. This does not mean that BRICS is isolating itself from the West. Presently, within the BRICS framework and other integration associations, processes are underway that will shield the rest of the world from the excesses and aggression of the Western powers that still dominate the international market. BRICS is ready to integrate within the principle of multipolarity. In other words, BRICS is not separating itself from the world. Quite the contrary, it has developed as a group of countries that are concerned about justice on the international stage.
In closing, the participants approved a joint statement, which noted, among others, the need to undertake collective efforts in order to achieve the sustainable development goals, ensure security and foster economic growth.
Putin’s Views on BRICS
Without doubts, June was a busy month for the Kremlin. Putin raised a number point salients points both at St. Petersburg economic forum, and in his unique message to BRICS foreign ministers in Kazan. China plays a prominent position in the global economy. South Asian and African countries are becoming increasingly prominent, as they also play catch-up with their economic growth. According to expert assessments, these countries will shape the global economic landscape closer to the middle of this century. He further mentioned such instruments as the use of national currencies in foreign trade payments, and steps towards improving the safety and efficiency of business operations. BRICS is working to establish an independent payment system that is not subject to political pressure, abuse and external sanctions interference.
Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia together brought the association in global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased to 36 percent, and in the planet’s population to 46 percent. That said, BRICS has great potential for the accession of new members, but much relatively depends on interested partners to develop contacts with BRICS on different continents. In that context, according to Putin’s expectations, BRICS will continue to develop relations within BRICS not only in the economic and finance sector, but also in security, humanitarian and cultural cooperation, and other areas. It will act, considering global challenges and objective trends, on the growing capabilities of national economies.
Professor Sergei Karaganov, Moderator of St. Petersburg Forum: That is comforting to know. But we are running a little late. We keep talking about the basket of Euro-Asian or BRICS currencies for eight or nine years now, but there is no progress, because, as you are aware, competition is rife.
President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, who spoke as a principal guest at the St. Petersburg forum told Putin, the panel and whole auditorium, that Putin’s model and its socioeconomic effects are evidence of the fact that there may be more than one vision of developing the economy and society. Different development frameworks may co-exist on our planet and, certainly, this comes from countries’ sovereign decisions. They are responsible for their own decisions regarding their economic and political systems, and this must be the leading idea across the globe. Sergey Karaganov underscored the fact that “the model as an alternative to dollar-based neocolonialism, where economies depend on the dollar, and neo-colonial powers undermine multilateralism by imposing a unilateral world order.”
“Russia and the BRICS countries, are concerned about the threats of a hybrid war across many dimensions, which harms development and industrialization,” explained Karaganov, but besides that, however, building a multipolar world is exposed to risks and threats. It necessitates to guarantee enough food for the population, need to exchange technologies that will increase agricultural productivity, a push for modern capitalism, – these are a few pillars of economic development in a multipolar world.
President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa: Advancing and embracing multipolarity has great potential for Africa and the developing Third World, to realize balanced inclusive development, modernization and industrialization. To this end, it is necessary to welcome transformation of the global economic relations in the geopolitical landscape, through BRICS, with additional new members, along with other emerging economies. In these efforts, the role of Africa remains critically important not as a major supplier of raw materials, but as a dependable global partner in every facet of human endeavour and development.
Critical Weak Points
In reaction at the first stage in deciding whether to expand, BRICS has to guide against its internal instability and possible negative influence. The association should seriously consider the importance of reviewing and working on its basic instruments, instead of making any hasty decisions. BRICS is looking to the Global South – developing countries with sharp disparities but together account for 40 per cent of the world’s GDP and 80 per cent of its population.
Many analysts have made powerful narratives that BRICS policies may not bring any real change because of diverging interests in politics, economy and culture. Many have different perceptions about the essence of what often referred to as a multipolar world. While expressing readiness to leverage unto BRICS platform which is largely considered symbolic in the current geopolitical situation, there are many practical things that are difficult to promote. Notwithstanding that, new BRICS members have multiple domestic issues to settle and still have to traditionally rely on western institutions. Shifting their alliance away from these institutions implies driving a sharp-edged dagger into the dynamics of their economic development. Russia has made little economic impact especially in Africa and Asian countries, apart from China and India, due to the fact that its agenda is dominated by the Ukraine war.
Why Africa Matters
In late June, Gustavo de Carvalho, a Senior Researcher on African Governance and Diplomacy at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), told the South China Morning Post (SCMP)’s interview that China’s long-standing commitment to Africa and the Global South made it “a key actor in the decision-making process” while Russia was more of a “newcomer”.
“Russia’s narratives are still evolving and often contested. China is often seen under the lenses of pragmatism – it’s big, it’s powerful and can be helpful. Russia is still seen often under ideological lenses … Russia is still rebuilding its connections almost from scratch.” China is now Africa’s largest trading partner. Africa is also one of the main beneficiaries of belt and road funding, but critics say this has left some nations saddled with massive debts.
Russia has tried to boost ties with Africa since its relations with the West worsened after it annexed Crimea in 2014. It has become part of Moscow’s narrative to counter the West since it invaded Ukraine. Last year, Putin hit out at the West for failing to guarantee food security for the continent when he hosted the second Russia-Africa summit. Russia is also a major arms exporter to Africa, but its trade with the continent is still far below that of China.
De Carvalho said that while African nations were interested in building relationships with both China and Russia, they were cautious about doing so because of fears they might become “a pawn or proxy in global disputes”. “For the Global South, the idea of being non-aligned is not about neutrality,” he said. “It is about maintaining autonomy and options.”
Unifying Differences
In an analytical report headed “BRICS Expanded So What Next” by Dr. Srinivas Junuguru and Abhinaya Rayee, Woxsen School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, Woxsen University, Hyderabad, Telangana, the academics argued that the growth of BRICS is fostering a multi-polar world, creating opportunities for closer ties and collaboration between developing nations. However, concerns persist about the group’s cohesion, given the diverse allegiances of its members, particularly amid tense relations between India and China.
As an interregional organization extending beyond conventional definitions, it encompasses regions where Eurasia, Asia, Latin America, and Africa converge, emphasizing a mixed interregional grouping from the Third World and transcending traditional boundaries in global governance. Consequently, both pointed to the other existing challenges, including the lack of a formal charter for admitting new members and existing conflicts, which may hinder the organization’s development. A collaborative approach between major members is crucial for BRICS to overcome internal conflicts and achieve its objectives. In addition, while the expansion adds new dimensions to the de-dollarization debate, that the de-dollarization is not that easy due to the internal conflicts of the BRICS countries.
Future Perspectives
In conclusion, we can borrow excellent ideas from Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, Member of the Valdai Discussion Club, whose explanation is that BRICS enlargement may lead to the automatic addition of new countries on a formal principle. But in fact, it is in everyone’s interest that it expands because hegemony no longer warms anyone’s heart, it only limits opportunities. The idea of giving BRICS a clear anti-Western bias was also incorrect – with the exception of Russia, no member now intends to pursue antagonism with the West. BRICS enlargement has been talked about for a long time. The structure is deliberately informal, with no charter, procedures or coordinating bodies. But it is also very important, in expanding the sphere of interaction to gradually create appropriate tools and mechanisms. In this case, the brand has taken on a life of its own to be called BRICS.
President Vladimir Putin referred to BRICS as “an informal association” and underscored 2024 expectations, and further categorized BRICS partnership in three key areas: politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian contacts. According to historical records, the first meeting of the association began in St. Petersburg in 2005. It was called RIC, which stood for Russia, India and China. Then, Brazil and subsequently South Africa joined later, which is why it is now popularly referred to as BRICS.