Kazakhstan has no intention of applying to join BRICS in the near future and this position will likely not change in the foreseeable future, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s spokesperson said on October 16.

Some observers might take the stance outlined by the spokesperson, Berik Uali, in an interview with TengriNews, as a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans to use BRICS to strengthen and bind alliances between “Global East” and “Global South” countries in his struggle against a Western-dominated world, though Kazakhstan has not at all indicated in the past couple of years that it has plans to join the intergovernmental organisation.

Comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, BRICS—which takes its name from the initial letters of the names of the first four of those countries—functions as a geopolitical bloc, despite its origins as a group focused on investment opportunities. 

Despite the decision of Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, not to pursue membership of the organisation as things stand, Putin will receive Tokayev at the 16^th BRICS Summit due to be held from 22-24 October in Kazan. At the summit, countries including Turkey and Azerbaijan are expected to progress their plans for BRICS membership.

Uali cited the multi-stage membership process and other factors related to BRICS' ongoing development as reasons for Astana’s decision to refrain from asking to join the group.

He noted that Tokayev has received proposals for Kazakhstan to join BRICS, given the country’s reputation as a "responsible and respected" member of the international community. He added that these proposals were currently under “careful consideration” by the president and relevant government departments to ensure they align with Kazakhstan’s national interests.

Uali relayed that while Kazakhstan is closely monitoring BRICS’ evolution and supports the bloc’s goal of fostering a “fair and democratic” global order without superpower dominance, Tokayev remains a strong advocate for the United Nations. Tokayev believed that the UN should continue to be the primary global institution for addressing international issues and establishing a just world order, Uali said.

Tokayev—as the head of a country that pursues a multi-vector foreign policy, meaning Astana strives to maintain amicable and productive relations with all the major powers and other nations—has repeatedly stressed that the UN Charter must be the foundation of international law and that no country should violate its principles. He has also called for reform of the UN Security Council, advocating for broader consultations and the inclusion of middle-power nations.

Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan maintains strategic relations with Russia, though Tokayev has not offered Moscow support for its war in Ukraine or any recognition of Ukrainian territories annexed by the Kremlin in the conflict. With Russia distracted by the war, China, the US, EU countries including France and Germany, the UK, Japan and South Korea have all stepped up efforts to build up influence, trade and investment with Kazakhstan.

EADaily reported the reaction of press secretary of Russian President Vladirmir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, to Kazakhstan’s position on BRICS.

"With respect. Kazakhstan is our friend, our strategic partner, our ally, we value our relations. Therefore, of course, Kazakhstan itself decides on the format of its participation in certain organisations," the media outlet cited the Kremlin representative as saying.