Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attendance at the BRICS Summit in Russia indicates Turkiye's interest in joining the organization, despite being a NATO member. Turkiye sees joining BRICS as an opportunity to strengthen economic ties with major non-Western powers and to operate independently of Western dominance. Erdogan's presence at the summit drew attention to the response of European states and the US, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praising Turkiye's role in the alliance. Turkiye's desire to join BRICS is seen as a push for the West to reconsider its relations with the country.