Russia Endorses Vietnam’s Aspiration to Join BRICS

 Russia has extended its support for Vietnam’s ambition to become a partner country in the BRICS bloc.

This grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents some of the world’s largest emerging economies and seeks to challenge Western-dominated economic forums like the G7.

The announcement came during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s recent visit to Hanoi, where the two nations issued a joint statement underscoring their shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties and enhancing multilateral cooperation.

“The Russian side welcomed Vietnam’s active participation in BRICS events in 2024 and expressed its readiness to facilitate its inclusion as a partner country,” the statement read. This endorsement highlights Vietnam’s growing role on the international stage and its desire to engage more deeply with the world’s emerging economies.

BRICS, which recently expanded its membership to include nations such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, has attracted interest from several other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Malaysia. Vietnam’s potential inclusion is viewed as a strategic step to bolster its global economic integration.

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However, experts note that Hanoi is treading cautiously, weighing the benefits of BRICS membership against possible geopolitical repercussions. “Vietnam remains cautious about how such a move might be perceived by its Western partners,” said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. “The benefits of full membership need to outweigh the risks for Vietnam to proceed confidently.”

In addition to discussing BRICS, Vietnam and Russia agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy development. Russia reaffirmed its readiness to assist Vietnam in establishing a national nuclear power industry, a move that could significantly enhance Vietnam’s energy capabilities.

Vietnam’s growing engagement with BRICS aligns with its broader foreign policy strategy of diversification. The nation seeks to maintain strong ties with both Western powers and emerging economies, navigating a delicate balance in an increasingly polarized global environment.