Saudi Arabia Still Considering BRICS Membership

Media reports indicate that Saudi Arabia is still evaluating the invitation to join the BRICS group, after missing the initial opportunity for membership earlier this month. According to Reuters, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed that January 1 was not a deadline for making a decision. One source stated that joining the group could bring significant benefits to the Kingdom, given that China and India are its largest trading partners. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Thursday that approximately 30 countries are interested in closer ties with BRICS, emphasizing that the group has a promising future. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Wednesday that efforts to integrate Saudi Arabia into BRICS are ongoing, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed this matter during his recent visit to Riyadh.