Russia’s foreign minister accuses the West of ‘financial blackmail’ as BRICS eye adding Saudi Arabia, Iran to economic bloc

Leaders of BRICS countries in 2019. Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin via Reuters Russia’s foreign minister slammed the West for its use of “financial blackmail.” That refers to sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine last year. Saudi Arabia and Iran have requested joining the BRICS economic bloc, South Africa said. Russia accused the West of “financial blackmail” for imposing sanctions on the country, as the BRICS economic bloc mulls the addition of Saudi Arabia and Iran. In a meeting Thursday with top officials from other BRICS nations — which include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — Foreign Minister Sergey…