The Kremlin has dismissed concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming trip to Mongolia, where he may be subject to arrest under an ICC warrant. The visit has sparked attention due to Mongolia’s membership in the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children. Putin has avoided visiting Rome Statute signatory countries to avoid ICC jurisdiction, although Russia itself is not a signatory. The concern over arrest came to light during Putin’s planned trip to South Africa, leading to his decision to abstain from attending the BRICS conference in person.
Despite reservations about potential arrest, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that Putin’s visit to Mongolia was carefully prepared and that there were no concerns due to the positive dialogue Russia shares with Mongolia. Putin’s trip is scheduled for September 3 at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to commemorate a joint military victory over Japanese forces. During the visit, the two leaders plan to discuss developing comprehensive strategic partnerships and sign bilateral agreements. However, Ukraine has called on Mongolia to adhere to their ICC commitments and execute the mandatory international arrest warrant for Putin.
During Putin’s planned visit to Mongolia, Ukraine labeled Putin as a war criminal and reiterated concerns over alleged crimes committed by Russian forces during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine called for Mongolian officials to follow through on the arrest warrant and hand Putin over to the ICC in The Hague. In response, Russia has downplayed concerns about Putin’s visit to Mongolia and reiterated the positive relationship between Russia and Mongolia. Putin has typically avoided visiting signatories of the Rome Statute to bypass ICC jurisdiction, but his upcoming trip to Mongolia poses a challenge due to the arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
The tension surrounding Putin’s visit to Mongolia highlights the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and international efforts to hold individuals accountable for alleged crimes. The ICC arrest warrant for Putin over the abduction of Ukrainian children underscores the severity of the accusations against the Russian president. Despite concerns raised by Ukraine, Russia appears confident in the success of Putin’s trip to Mongolia and the positive outcomes expected from the visit. The upcoming visit is seen as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between Russia and Mongolia and celebrate their shared military history.
The Kremlin’s dismissal of concerns about Putin’s visit to Mongolia may indicate a willingness to address the legal implications surrounding the ICC warrant in a diplomatic manner. While Ukraine has called for Putin’s arrest and extradition to The Hague, it remains to be seen how Mongolian officials will respond to the ICC warrant during Putin’s visit. The dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, and Mongolia will likely play a significant role in shaping the outcome of Putin’s trip and its implications for international relations. Despite the controversy surrounding the visit, Putin’s upcoming trip to Mongolia offers a platform for dialogue and potential resolution of legal issues raised by the ICC warrant.
