Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia on Tuesday amidst calls for his arrest on international warrants for alleged war crimes related to the invasion of Ukraine. The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest about 18 months ago, but there is no indication that Mongolia will comply with the request.
Despite Ukraine's appeal to Mongolia to hand Putin over to the court in The Hague and the European Union expressing concerns about Mongolia's stance, the Kremlin remains unfazed. Mongolia, a landlocked country heavily reliant on Russia for fuel and electricity, faces a dilemma as a member of the international court obligated to detain suspects with arrest warrants.
During his visit, Putin was welcomed with a ceremonial event in the capital city's main square, where he was greeted by an honor guard dressed in traditional attire reminiscent of Genghis Khan's personal guard. He and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh paid respects at a statue of Genghis Khan before their official meetings at the Government Palace.
The International Criminal Court has accused Putin of orchestrating the abductions of children in Ukraine, where conflict has persisted for over two years. The European Union has raised concerns about the execution of the arrest warrant and reminded Mongolia of its legal obligations as a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC since 2002.
While more than 50 Russians abroad have urged Mongolia to detain Putin upon his arrival, the Russian leader's visit coincides with the 85th anniversary of a joint Soviet-Mongolian victory over a Japanese army in 1939. This battle marked a significant historical event in the region.
Putin's visit to Mongolia is part of his efforts to counter international isolation following the Ukraine invasion. He has undertaken several overseas trips in recent months, including visits to China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan. Last year, he participated in a meeting in Johannesburg via video link after South Africa opposed his physical presence at the BRICS summit.
