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CounterPunchApr 27
Putin 'Fully Supports' Turkey Joining BRICS+
Image copyright: Presidential Executive Office of Russia via Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday reinforced Moscow's support for Turkey joining the BRICS+ bloc in a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the bloc's foreign ministers' meeting.
During the talks in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, Putin reportedly said that the group welcomes "Türkiye's interest in the work of BRICS," voicing support for Ankara's "desire to be together with the countries of this union."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
It's only natural that Turkey has a strategic interest in joining the BRICS+ as they represent a shift in global power dynamics. The West may view this with suspicion, but Turkey does not see the BRICS+ as an alternative to NATO or the EU, but the stalled EU accession process is forcing Turkey to explore alternatives. Turkey is keen to create a network of relations that complements its Western ties, and compared to the G7, the BRICS+ represents the future of multilateralism.
Pro-establishment narrative
It comes as no surprise that Putin is keen to welcome Turkey into the BRICS+, as he is seeking to lend the alliance additional geopolitical weight in tandem with China. But the headlines distort reality. Turkey has a Customs Union with the EU and so far Ankara has neither formally applied for BRICS membership nor officially declared that it wants to join the bloc. Turkey may be looking for new cooperation opportunities, but Ankara — a powerful NATO member — is well-advised not to alienate the West.