Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News
Politics

Putin's Visit To Mongolia Raises ICC Arrest Concerns

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits China

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Mongolia has sparked controversy due to his presence in a country that is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), despite an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the ICC in March 2023. Putin's arrival in Ulaanbaatar for a state visit was met with a warm reception from Mongolian officials and an honor guard.

The purpose of Putin's visit is to commemorate the 1939 victory over Japan at the Battle of Khalkhin by Soviet-Mongolian forces. This visit is significant as Mongolia's ICC membership theoretically places Putin at risk of arrest for alleged involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children.

Putin's decision to visit Mongolia, a Rome Statute signatory, is a departure from his usual avoidance of countries under ICC jurisdiction. Notably, major nations like Russia, the U.S., China, India, and Israel are not signatories to the Rome Statute and are therefore not subject to ICC authority.

Mongolia's ICC membership puts Putin at risk of arrest for alleged crimes.
Putin visited Mongolia to commemorate a historical victory over Japan.
Putin's visit to a Rome Statute signatory country is unusual.

The Kremlin has downplayed concerns about Putin's potential arrest during the visit, emphasizing the positive diplomatic relations between Russia and Mongolia. Ukrainian authorities have labeled Putin a war criminal, citing various alleged crimes committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including the abduction of children.

Ukraine has called on Mongolian authorities to enforce the ICC arrest warrant and extradite Putin to The Hague for trial. Despite these calls, the Kremlin remains confident in Putin's safety during his stay in Mongolia, underscoring the careful planning that went into the visit.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.