BRICS Ministers Seek to Strengthen Group's Global Influence.

Foreign ministers from the BRICS countries are meeting in South Africa to strengthen the bloc as a counterweight to Western geopolitical dominance in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The talks are a prelude to an August summit in Johannesburg that has already created controversy because of the possible attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the target of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Discussions would aim to deepen ties among existing members and consider an expansion of the group. Amid the growing geopolitical polarisation resulting from the war in Ukraine, BRICS leaders have said they are open to admitting new members, including oil producing countries.