On June 11, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was seeking assistance at a conference in Berlin, marking the beginning of a week filled with intense diplomatic efforts in Western Europe, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Fidan described the Kremlin meeting as having gone “fantastically well,” according to Turkish state media.

Putin also expressed satisfaction, stating, “We welcome Turkey’s interest in the work of BRICS,” as reported by Turkish media. “Undoubtedly, we will fully support this aspiration.” This aspiration moved closer to realization this week when the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey had officially applied to join the BRICS coalition of emerging economies.

“Our president has reiterated on numerous occasions our desire to become a member of BRICS,” AKP spokesman Omer Celik informed reporters in Ankara on Tuesday. “Our request in this regard is unequivocal, and the process is advancing accordingly.” Turkey’s bid for BRICS membership represents the first instance of a NATO member and EU candidate seeking to join a bloc primarily influenced by Russia and China, which positions itself as a counterbalance to the Western-dominated global framework.

This action by a member of the world’s most formidable military alliance underscores the geostrategic transformations challenging the post-war order amid increasing international tensions.

The BRICS coalition has often been regarded as a mere discussion forum, a loose assembly of nations that occasionally find themselves at odds and even engage in significant border conflicts, lacking a clear mission.

The inception of the group is unconventional, adding to the confusion surrounding its objectives. The term “BRIC” was introduced by British economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 during his tenure as research chief at Goldman Sachs to categorize Brazil, Russia, India, and China—nations characterized by substantial populations and economic growth potential.