Azerbaijan has formally applied to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to strengthen regional ties and secure trade routes amid Western sanctions, AP News reports.
The BRICS bloc, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, with Saudi Arabia considering membership. The bloc now represents over a quarter of the world’s GDP and includes major oil producers. Putin’s meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev focused on boosting trade, particularly cargo transport between their countries.
Azerbaijan’s interest in BRICS is seen as a strategic move to maintain strong ties with Russia, especially given the regional tensions with Armenia over the Karabakh region. Relations between Armenia and Russia have soured since Azerbaijan seized control of the Karabakh region in 2023, with Armenia accusing Russian peacekeepers of failing to prevent the takeover.
