Turkey's Bid for BRICS Membership: A Strategic Play or a Symbolic Gesture

Turkey’s recent push to join the BRICS alliance—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—marks a notable shift in its geopolitical strategy. As a long-standing member of NATO and a key ally of the West, Turkey’s attempt to align with this emerging economic bloc reveals a complex balancing act aimed at enhancing its global influence while signaling a potential shift away from traditional Western alignments.

The BRICS grouping, which has expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE this year, is often seen as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions such as the European Union, G7, and even NATO. Although BRICS lacks formal structure and enforcement mechanisms, its growing influence underscores a desire among its members to assert a more multipolar world order.

Turkey’s engagement with BRICS reflects its broader geopolitical ambitions. “Our president has already expressed multiple times that we wish to become a member of BRICS,” said a spokesperson for Turkey’s AK Party earlier this month. This bid is not merely about joining an economic group but represents a strategic effort to bolster Turkey’s influence on the global stage while demonstrating its ability to operate independently of Western constraints.

Analysts suggest that Turkey’s move to join BRICS is motivated by a mix of strategic interest and symbolic gesture. George Dyson, a senior analyst at Control Risks, notes that Turkey’s intentions are to position itself as an independent actor in a multipolar world. “This is not to say that Turkey is turning away from the West entirely,” Dyson explains. “But Turkey wants to foster as many trading ties as possible and pursue opportunities unilaterally without being constrained by Western alignment.”

Turkey’s longstanding frustrations with its European Union membership bid, which has been repeatedly rebuffed, add a layer of emotional and strategic impetus to its BRICS aspirations. Ambassador Matthew Bryza, a former U.S. diplomat now based in Istanbul, suggests that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s motivations include both securing national interests and leveraging the BRICS bid as a negotiating tactic with the West. “The desire to spook the West a bit, both out of emotional spite and as a negotiating tactic, is clear,” Bryza remarks.

In recent years, Turkey has expanded its role in global diplomacy, mediating between Ukraine and Russia, and mending ties with regional powers like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. Its refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia underscores its strategy of maintaining a middle-power stance, which it views as beneficial for its relationships with China and the Global South.

Arda Tunca, an independent economist and consultant, highlights the complexity of Turkey’s position. “Turkey’s unique geopolitical stance reflects serious political tensions with the EU and the U.S.,” Tunca says. “While Turkey is ideologically closer to the East, it wants to ensure it’s not left behind in the evolving global order. The intention is to challenge Western dominance, particularly under China’s leadership.”

BRICS membership would also allow Turkey to engage in trade using currencies other than the U.S. dollar, aligning with the bloc’s goal of reducing dependency on the Western financial system. This aspect, coupled with China’s leadership within BRICS, contributes to Western apprehensions about the bloc’s potential to shift global power dynamics.

Erdogan’s interest in BRICS dates back to 2018, but formal discussions only intensified recently. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to China and Russia in June, followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s welcome of Turkey’s interest, underscores the strategic alignment Turkey seeks within the bloc.

As Turkey navigates its bid for BRICS membership, the implications for its relationship with the West remain to be seen. While the move may serve as a strategic maneuver to enhance Turkey’s global standing, it also symbolizes a broader shift towards a more multipolar world order where traditional Western alliances are increasingly challenged.