Türkiye's BRICS aspiration: Navigating between NATO and global realignment

Türkiye's potential inclusion in BRICS doesn't necessitate its departure from NATO or a rupture with the Western collective, as discussed by Aydınlık citing Prof. Hasan Unal.

According to him, some experts and politicians are now trying to convince Ankara that it cannot be a member of BRICS and NATO at the same time. However, if the US and European authorities do not seriously revise their policies towards Türkiye, the republic will be able to stay in the North Atlantic Alliance even after joining another international organization.

"After all, the largest trading partners of the PRC (a BRICS member country) are the US and Europe. In other words, joining BRICS does not mean breaking all relations with Europe and the US. So why should Türkiye be left out?" the expert curiously asked.

Unala added that Washington is currently using the dollar and its dominant position in the world as a tool of sanctions. In this regard, the professor called for abandoning the payment system, which is subject to pressure from the US leadership. If this is not done, the intensity of opposition to US hegemony will diminish.

"Almost all countries participating in BRICS share this view. Foreign trade financing by national currencies is increasing. A new gold-based monetary system will probably come into effect. This is the only way to seriously oppose the US hegemony in the world,” he summarized.

On June 4, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the republic would like to join BRICS.