Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergei Ryabkov has expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia will eventually participate fully in BRICS. During a press conference following the recent BRICS summit in Kazan, Ryabkov remarked, “The time will come, I believe, when a decision is made for [Saudi Arabia’s] full participation on par with other members. However, this isn’t an issue requiring extra attention or diplomatic efforts at this stage.”
Ryabkov explained that Saudi Arabia currently holds the status of an invited country within BRICS and actively participates in BRICS events. He added, “We value the level and nature of Saudi Arabia's involvement in the summit in Kazan,” and highlighted that Saudi representatives took part in all the preparatory meetings leading up to the event. Ryabkov anticipates that this arrangement will continue in the near future.
“There’s no rush here. BRICS doesn’t exist to simply check off tasks on a list; it’s about something much broader. If a country is comfortable working in this mode, we fully respect that,” Ryabkov concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on TASS materials