“A visit by our president is planned to participate in the BRICS Summit,” the diplomat said when asked by reporters on the matter.

Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the group on January 1 for 2024, a year that began with the admission of new members.

The BRICS, initially comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded this year after the incorporation of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran.

The bloc now accounts for nearly half the world’s population, 40 percent of global oil production, and about 25 percent of goods exports.

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