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Azerbaijan has officially applied to join the BRICS group, according to Aykhan Hajizade, the press secretary of the Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This move comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day visit to Baku, his first since Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The timing of Azerbaijan’s application, a day after Putin’s departure, underscores the strategic nature of this initiative.
BRICS, an intergovernmental organization founded in 2006, currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The application from Azerbaijan, amid a long line of aspirants, highlights the country’s ambition to deepen its international engagement and economic ties. Hajizade noted that discussions between Moscow and Baku regarding expanded cooperation had been ongoing, suggesting that the BRICS application aligns with these broader strategic goals.
The visit of President Putin to Azerbaijan, which occurred over the weekend, has elicited mixed reactions domestically and from Western observers. Many questioned the timing and purpose of the visit, which coincided with Azerbaijan’s application to BRICS. The visit was seen as a gesture of support from Baku amidst Putin’s broader diplomatic efforts, including recent trips to North Korea and Vietnam.
During his time in Baku, Putin reportedly discussed enhancing allied and strategic relations, including collaboration in the oil and gas sector and Russian mediation in Armenian-Azerbaijani disputes. The visit and the BRICS application reflect a complex interplay of geopolitical and economic strategies shaping Azerbaijan’s international posture.