By adbnu564 Russian President Vladimir Putin was warmly welcomed in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, despite an ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him. The reception featured soldiers on horseback and martial anthems performed by a live band at Genghis Khan Square. Putin met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh during the visit.
A small group of protesters gathered at the square on Monday, holding signs demanding “Get War Criminal Putin out of here.” Additional protests are planned, including one at Ulaanbaatar’s Monument for the Politically Repressed, a site commemorating victims of Mongolia’s Soviet-backed communist regime.
Ahead of the visit, Ukraine urged Mongolia to comply with the ICC arrest warrant, which accuses Putin of war crimes related to the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The ICC has also issued a warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights.
The ICC alleges these crimes were committed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Moscow has consistently denied these accusations, calling the warrants “outrageous.”
ICC members are generally expected to detain suspects under arrest warrants, but there is no formal enforcement mechanism. The court stated last week that members have “an obligation” to act. Mongolia has not publicly responded to Ukraine’s or the ICC’s demands.
Mongolia has maintained friendly relations with Russia since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991 and has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country also abstained from voting on the conflict at the United Nations.
Mongolia, which also borders China, relies significantly on Russia for energy resources. The country is involved in ongoing discussions about the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project, which aims to transport 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia’s Yamal region to China via Mongolia. This project is part of Russia’s strategy to offset reduced gas sales to Europe due to the invasion of Ukraine.