Russia invites Saudi Crown Prince to October BRICS Summit

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, announced on Monday that Russia had invited Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from October 22-24 to attend a BRICS Summit in Kazan.

Last year, the bloc of developing countries invited Saudi Arabia and Iran to join, as well as Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. The move was intended to accelerate its efforts to reshuffle an outdated world order.

Lavrov is in Saudi Arabia on an official trip.

In January, two sources who were directly involved in the matter said that Riyadh is still evaluating the invitation to join BRICS.

Saudi Arabia is Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner, and one of the respondents said that joining this bloc named after Brazil, Russia India China and South Africa would be beneficial.

In February, a Saudi official told Reuters that the kingdom has not yet replied to the invitation and is still considering it.

Riyadh weighs its options in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions, including between Russia and China. Washington, a long-time ally of the kingdom, has expressed concern over the warming relations between Riyadh and Beijing.

Saudi Arabia and Russia work closely together on oil policy via OPEC+.

Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have joined BRICS since January. Argentina chose not to join. Javier Milei chose to strengthen ties with America instead of joining the group.

(source: Reuters)