The rules do not prohibit a NATO member from joining BRICS: Lavrov on Turkey’s membership

BRICS does not have rules prohibiting members of certain organizations from having relations with this organization, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told RBC, commenting on the desire of Turkey, a NATO member and a candidate for EU membership, to become a BRICS member.

He added that the main thing for BRICS members and the countries developing cooperation with the organization is to share the values ​​set by the U.N. Charter. This is the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, respect, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, the Russian foreign minister noted.

“We don’t need Nazi values, Nazi ideologies, practices, the prohibition of freedom of speech, national languages, cultures, traditions, the closure of canonical churches, etc.,” the minister said.

To remind, during the Second Artsakh War, Turkey actively supported Baku. Moreover, the Turkish president admitted in July 2024: “Just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we will do the same with Israel. There is nothing impossible; we just have to be strong to take such steps.”