Türkiye has formally submitted its application to join the BRICS economic bloc, seeking to strengthen ties beyond its traditional Western allies and signal its alignment with the emerging multipolar world order. This move comes amid ongoing tensions with NATO, particularly over the Ukraine conflict, and growing frustration over stalled European Union membership talks.
Since the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022, Türkiye has maintained a unique position. While a NATO member, Ankara has also preserved close relations with Moscow, advocating for diplomatic solutions and balancing its geopolitical stance. This approach, however, has put Türkiye at odds with some NATO allies, especially those favoring a hardline approach against Russia.
Türkiye's interest in BRICS—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—demonstrates its broader strategy to diversify its international partnerships and gain more strategic autonomy. BRICS, established in 2006 and currently chaired by Russia, recently expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, showing its growing appeal to countries looking for alternatives to the Western-dominated economic and political order.
Joining BRICS would align Türkiye with a group of countries advocating for a multipolar world—a global system where power is more evenly distributed among several nations rather than dominated by a single superpower or bloc. This shift is gaining traction as countries like Türkiye seek to balance their relations with both Eastern and Western powers, leveraging their positions to maximize strategic and economic gains.
Türkiye’s long-standing frustrations with the EU accession process have also fueled its decision to explore new international alignments. For decades, Ankara has sought EU membership, only to face continuous delays and political hurdles. This prolonged impasse has prompted Türkiye to look towards platforms like BRICS, which offer greater inclusivity and respect for sovereign decision-making.
BRICS itself is evolving. Originally conceived as a coalition of major emerging markets, it has gradually become a platform for political and strategic dialogue, promoting a more equitable global governance framework. The recent expansion to include members from the Middle East and Africa underscores the bloc's intent to challenge the existing Western-centric global order and advocate for a fairer distribution of global power.
Türkiye’s application to join BRICS represents more than a shift in alliances; it is a strategic decision that reflects the changing dynamics of global power. As the world continues to move towards a multipolar order, Türkiye’s BRICS bid may well signal further realignments in international relations, marking the dawn of a new era of cooperation among emerging powers.
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