Despite accepting an invitation to join the alliance in 2023, the BRICS bloc has yet to fully welcome Saudi Arabia into the alliance. That could be set to change at the BRICS 2024 Summit, according to an official announcement. Specifically, Russian Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted Riyadh’s participation within the alliance will be made clear after the upcoming event.
The ongoing saga has seen different responses from both sides throughout the year. Saudi Arabia has continuously said that it is carefully observing the risks and benefits of joining the bloc. However, the alliance has continued to affirm that the country is the 10th member of the growing collective. That distinction is likely to be verified after the event takes place.
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BRICS & Saudi Arabia to Clarify Position After 2024 Summit
Last year, the BRICS bloc announced its first expansion effort since 2001. Indeed, the bloc had announced that five nations had accepted invitations to join the bloc. Specifically, these countries included the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia.
However, one of those nations had not officially accepted the invitation. Saudi Arabia clarified that it had yet to join the bloc and was still considering the strategic benefits of joining the group. A year later, the situation is yet to be resolved. However, it does appear as though an answer is coming.
According to a Russian spokesperson, the BRICS group will clarify Saudi Arabia’s membership within the alliance after the 2024 Summit. The event, taking place next week in Kazan, is the biggest of the calendar year for the alliance. With questions surrounding Saudi Arabia’s attendance, the questions of its membership began to resurface.
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“The summit will be held very soon,” Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media. “We will inform you additionally who will represent Saudi Arabia or if it will be represented at the summit at all. Based on this, we will make conclusions.”
In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s position in the bloc was considered a game changer. The oil and gas powerhouse would’ve brought forth unprecedented geopolitical benefits to the group. Yet, it also would have only magnified tensions with the West. These relationships are likely the basis for the country’s reluctance to join the Global South’s opposition. Yet, the answers to its membership question should be obvious after the summit concludes.