President Putin's Visit to Vietnam: Expanding BRICS Amid Global Political Shifts
President Putin's Vietnam visit raises questions about BRICS expansion, highlighting the delicate balance required for new memberships amid evolving global political landscapes.
Today marks the significant official visit of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to Vietnam. This visit follows his friendly trip to North Korea, as documented in our previous blog. The international community is abuzz with speculation: Did Putin bring an invitation for Vietnam to join BRICS?
Vietnam has already shown considerable involvement in BRICS activities, indicating Hanoi's eagerness to engage with the group in some capacity. Currently, Vietnam participates in the BRICS+ dialogue. This format saw a meeting during the Johannesburg summit in August 2023, chaired by South Africa, where potential new members, including Vietnam, were invited.
The big question now is whether Vietnam will soon be counted among the new member countries of BRICS. Addressing this, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov emphasized that the inclusion of new members into BRICS cannot be rushed. He stated, "BRICS cannot include new members too quickly; the process should be controlled and harmless to the practical result." He acknowledged Vietnam and other Asia-Pacific states' interest in BRICS and mentioned Algeria's aspirations to join the association.
Ryabkov's comments highlight the delicate balance BRICS must maintain while expanding. "These are all strong candidates, but BRICS cannot expand like a supernova star overnight. This explosion should not be catastrophic. We must ensure a controlled process so that the work does not come at the expense of practical results," he added. He assured that Russia would continue to support Algeria's bid for BRICS membership.
We believe that Ryabkov's approach to the matter of expansion is prudent, given the potential for complications that could arise from a rapid expansion, as evidenced by recent events involving Argentina. At the Johannesburg summit, Argentina was invited to join BRICS. However, due to changes in its internal government, it was unable to participate. Such instances serve to illustrate the importance of adopting a measured approach to admitting new members, to ensure that internal political shifts do not disrupt the association's stability and objectives.
Adding another layer to the BRICS expansion narrative is Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is actively participating in BRICS activities, though it has not yet decided on full membership. According to Ryabkov, Saudi representatives sometimes do not participate in all events but are involved in those formats that suit them best due to their internal processes still being incomplete. "We respect this position," Ryabkov noted. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's interactions with BRICS are based on mutual respect and equal footing. For instance, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud did not attend the session on the first day of the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Nizhny Novgorod but participated on the second day after holding a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
To explore the intricacies of Algeria's journey towards BRICS membership, our channel offers a detailed video. The video delves into why Ethiopia, rather than Algeria, was accepted into BRICS, providing a wealth of information for those interested in the topic.
Following the initial unrest about Algeria's non-acceptance of BRICS, President Putin made a reassuring statement at the Valdai Discussion Forum on October 5, 2023. He said, "Algeria is our friend, a traditional friend in the Arab world, in North Africa. We believe that this would be good for the organization, but we should certainly work out these issues with all our friends within BRICS, in contact with the Algerian leadership itself. To do it calmly, not creating problems for the organization, but only creating additional ways for common development."
Putin's statement underscores the need for a methodical approach to expanding BRICS membership, ensuring that new inclusions do not disrupt the organization's harmony or effectiveness. The President's words and Ryabkov's comments clarify that Algeria's future in BRICS is secure and that the process will be managed with care and collaboration.
Vietnam's potential inclusion in BRICS and the ongoing discussions about Algeria and Saudi Arabia illustrate the dynamic and evolving nature of the organization. BRICS, originally a group of emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is steadily gaining interest from other countries looking to join its ranks. The controlled expansion strategy aims to enhance cooperation without compromising the group's stability and functionality.
In conclusion, the official visit of President Putin to Vietnam not only signifies strengthening bilateral ties but also raises pertinent questions about the future composition of BRICS. As the organization considers new members like Vietnam, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, it must balance growth with practical outcomes. The cautious approach advocated by Russian leaders ensures that BRICS remains a cohesive and effective group, fostering global development and cooperation.