Consensus required for Venezuela's admission to BRICS - Putin

KAZAN. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Venezuela may join BRICS only if the association's members reach a consensus on this, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"As for admitting Venezuela or any other state to BRICS, this is possible only if there's a consensus. We have this rule: to admit any candidate to this organization, the BRICS association, the consent of all participants in this association is required. Without it, such a step is impossible to make," Putin said at a press conference following the BRICS summit in Kazan, when asked whether Venezuela could join BRICS against Brazil's will.

Putin said he hoped Venezuela and Brazil would be able to settle their bilateral relations. "I know [Brazilian] President Lula as a decent and honest man. I am sure he'll approach this situation impartially," Putin said.

"I asked him during our telephone conversation to convey some words to the Venezuelan president from me. I hope the situation will be normalizing," he said.

Putin admitted that Russia and Brazil have different positions as concerns developments in Venezuela. "As to how Brazil assesses what's happening in Venezuela. We know these assessments. Our position on the issue of Venezuela isn't identical to Brazil's. I am saying this openly. Yesterday I talked on the phone with the Brazilian president, with whom I enjoy very warm and friendly relations," he said.

"Venezuela is fighting for its independence and for its sovereignty. We believe President [Nicolas] Maduro won the elections, and he won fairly, too. He has put together a government. We wish success to his government and the Venezuelan people," Putin said.