Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has stated that reports about a BRICS summit possibly being moved from South Africa to China are only a hoax.
"I think this has the characteristics of a hoax. Based on contacts with counterparts from South Africa and China, I have no grounds to somehow operationalize this matter. This is not the plot that we are discussing here," Ryabkov told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday.
Moscow still proceeds from the fact that the summit will be held in Johannesburg in August 2023, as planned, the diplomat added.
“Most likely, this is an attempt to complicate normal work in the BRICS format, as well as to impose some kind of false agenda,” Ryabkov emphasized.
The Russian deputy foreign minister also said that Moscow reaffirms its position that BRICS should not include the countries that earlier supported unilateral sanctions against Russia and other states.
"I'm not ready to predict any calendars in this sense. I want to say that every country that expressed an interest in joining BRICS is very important in itself. We cannot be guided by some artificial criteria for these countries’ admission," he said when asked about whether BRICS will be expanded in terms of membership.
"Still, I reaffirm our unshakable resolve to proceed from the assumption that there should be no countries in BRICS that have joined the illegal policy of unilateral sanctions against Russia and other states, Ryabkov pointed out.
He noted that "Russia, as one of the most influential countries and a state-civilization, a nation that in the most reliable way possible ensures its own security and interests, has a key say that's crucial in regard to how, when and who will join BRICS.”
"There is an understanding that BRICS should move along the path of expansion. There are several regions that, let's say, are underrepresented or not represented in BRICS at all. We support the interest of the relevant states in this, and I am sure that during the [BRICS] ministerial meeting, which will start today and continue tomorrow, including in an expanded format, this will become one of the main topics," Ryabkov concluded.
BRICS currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, with more countries signaling a readiness to join the group.