BRICS is unlikely to accept any new members at the summit in the Russian city of Kazan in October, as the member states have agreed to introduce the new status of a BRICS partner state, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Wednesday.
"I do not think any enlargement will take place, as BRICS member states have agreed to adopt a provision for a new partner state status in Kazan," Ushakov said in an interview with Russia's Channel One broadcaster.
Such partner states will not have the right to vote when making key decisions in the bloc, the Kremlin aide also said.
"With time, however, when they participate more actively in the BRICS activities, the member states will consider which ones of them can be invited to become full-fledged members of our bloc," Ushakov said.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for the largest developing economies, uniting Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined the group in 2010. On January 1, BRICS expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has not formalized its participation but has been taking part in BRICS meetings.