Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has denied that the BRICS economic bloc sought to transform into a military alliance.
In an interview with the state news agency TASS on Saturday, Ryabkov said BRICS is neither a military alliance nor a collective security organisation with obligations regarding mutual military assistance.
“It was never conceived in that spirit, and there are no plans to transform BRICS in that direction,” Ryabkov said, arguing that the 10-member bloc’s portfolio does not include military exercises or arms control.
Ryabkov also denied a recent naval exercise held in South Africa was a “BRICS event,” and that members that took part did so in their national capacity. He was referring to the “Will for Peace 2026” drills held on January 9-16, which included China, Iran, and Russia.
Asked whether BRICS could protect tankers belonging to members from attacks and ensure their safety, Ryabkov said the bloc has no potential beyond improving logistics and ensuring greater protection from sanctions, and that security must be “ensured by other means.”
Expressing solidarity with Iran
BRICS was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran later joined, expanding the group to 11 members, alongside 10 partner countries.
The Russian deputy foreign minister said the growth of trade between BRICS countries significantly exceeds the global average, “an indication that BRICS, without being some kind of 'magic wand,’ can actually help solve problems."
Ryabkov said BRICS can and should express solidarity with Iran, and that Moscow and Beijing are in contact with the country and working on “ensuring the appropriate political environment” for negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
According to him, the focus now is “on the negotiations Iran is conducting with its partners, on the work Iran is doing indirectly — primarily through Arab intermediaries — with the Americans,” which he believes will continue.
US-Iran indirect talks
The US and Iran held indirect talks in Muscat on February 6 with Omani mediation to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program, marking the end of a roughly eight-month suspension after the US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025.
Washington has also significantly increased its military footprint in the region as US President Donald Trump warns Iran, which recently faced widespread protests over worsening economic conditions, that it must make a deal.
Uranium enrichment remains a central point of dispute, with the US demanding Iran halt uranium enrichment and transfer highly enriched uranium out of the country.
