While joining BRICS would highlight Turkey's balancing act between the West and the Global South, the organization's institutional weaknesses will limit its ability to support Turkey's economic growth or reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar. In recent weeks, Turkey has reiterated its interest in joining BRICS, a multinational group of emerging economies named after its original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and later South Africa. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Russia on June 10-11. In a sideline meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Fidan on June 11, Putin said, "We welcome Turkey's interest in the work of BRICS." He continued, "Undoubtedly, we will fully support this aspiration and desire to be together with the countries of this union, to be closer." The dialogue in Russia echoes a similar conversation Fidan had with senior Chinese officials during his June 3-5 tour in...
