Mr Erdoğan, who has repeatedly criticised US support for Israel’s war on Hamas, insisted Ankara did not have to choose between the EU and other partners in an increasingly polarised world.

“On the contrary, we have to develop our relations with both these and other organisations on a win-win basis,” he said. “Any method other than this will not benefit Turkey, but will harm it.”

The Brics rivals the US-led G7 group of rich nations on the world stage. It is named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt joined earlier this year.

Russia and China, both thorns in Nato’s side, have a “no limits” alliance, which has deepened since Moscow was ostracised by the West.