During the 2023 annual summit, the BRICS bloc invited six countries to join its collective. Of those, five had responded with intentions of being the first expansion nations for the bloc since 2001. However, since the start of the year, uncertainty has abounded over Saudi Arabia’s status regarding joining the BRICS alliance.
In January, the rest of the expansion nations joined the BRICS grouping. However, as much as a month later Saudi Arabia said it was still weighing its options regarding admission into the alliance.
Now recent reports have noted the country has finally provided some kind of update regarding its status in the bloc. Specifically, Saudi Arabia and 2024 BRICS Chairman Russia held a telephone meeting earlier this week.
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Saudi Arabia and BRICS Alliance Get Long-Awaited Update
For the BRICS economic alliance, 2023 was a monumentally important year. The bloc embraced greater de-dollarizaiton efforts that had increased its overall economic autonomy. Moreover, it had enacted the first true expansion initiative that saw it grow from five nations to a 10-nation grouping.
Despite five new countries formally accepting issued invitations, one of the priced countries of that expansion has stepped back from its original decision to join. Specifically, Saudi Arabia has noted that it is still undergoing consideration phases regarding its BRICS alliance membership.
With all sides silent for the last month, the development received a bit of an update today. Specifically, reports have noted that Saudia Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indeed, the President of the Russian Federation website confirmed the call took place between the two leaders.
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The two leaders reported expressed their willingness to continue in cooperative relationships. Both leaders noted the importance of active development in mutually beneficial initiatives and coordination within OPEC+.
Finally, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud issued congratulations to Putin regarding his re-election victory for Russia’s Presidency. Putin had emerged victorious for a fifth consecutive term. Alternatively, Putin sent best wishes to the Crown Prince and the people of the Kingdom for her celebration of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan.
Although there was no specified date for Saudi ARabia’s inclusion, the meeting appears to affirm Riyhad’s intention to join the alliance. The only question now is directed at when its official inclusion will take place.