Putin opens door to new BRICS members

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the BRICS grouping is open to new members and that no country wishing to join will be excluded.

Cooperation between Russia and China is one of the key factors in strengthening global stability, Putin told reporters.

Russia is set to host a BRICS summit in Kazan next week.

Putin wants to make BRICS a strong competitor to the West in global politics and trade.

BRICS has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.