While Kazakhstan has announced that it will not join BRICS at this stage, the possibility of its future membership remains open, according to Eldaniz Gusseinov, a columnist at Daryo and a Non-Resident Research Fellow at Haydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies of the Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry recently confirmed that the country would not apply for BRICS membership for now, reflecting a decision taken by the bloc to pause the admission of new members. This pause, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, was agreed upon during the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in June 2024, to allow integration of recently added members.
Despite this, Kazakhstan's potential entry into BRICS within the next 2-3 years is plausible for three key reasons.
Kazakhstan has long positioned itself as a middle power on the international stage. Joining BRICS, which includes other significant middle and large powers, would further solidify this status. As more countries step back from joining the group, Kazakhstan’s membership could underscore its growing influence.
In the face of increasing sanctions and trade barriers against some of its key partners, including Russia, China, and Iran, Kazakhstan has shown interest in exploring alternative payment systems. These systems, which are being discussed within BRICS, could provide an important economic advantage, helping the country navigate geopolitical challenges.
In addition, Russia has a vested interest in Kazakhstan joining BRICS, as it would strengthen the group’s network of close partners. This support from Moscow could accelerate Kazakhstan's potential entry into the bloc, given the strong ties between the two nations.
While some argue that Kazakhstan's relations with the West could be affected by joining BRICS, examples like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt show that membership in the association has not impacted their ties with Western nations. Therefore, Kazakhstan's membership in BRICS may not carry the geopolitical risks some have predicted.
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