Putin’s visit to Mongolia amid ICC arrest Warrant sparks protests
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia marks his first trip to an International Criminal Court (ICC) member state since the court issued an arrest warrant against him last year.
Putin, who is accused of war crimes including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, was greeted with a grand ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, where he met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh.
Despite the arrest warrant, Kremlin officials expressed confidence that Putin would not face arrest during his visit.
The Mongolian capital saw a display of military honor with soldiers on horseback and martial music, though a small protest against Putin took place at Genghis Khan Square.
Additional protests are planned, including one at the Monument for the Politically Repressed.
Ukraine has called on Mongolia to detain Putin and transfer him to the ICC, emphasizing the urgency of adhering to international obligations.
The ICC had also issued a warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, for similar crimes.
Moscow has rejected the allegations, calling the warrants “outrageous.”
Mongolia, maintaining a historically friendly relationship with Russia, has not publicly addressed the ICC’s request or Ukraine’s appeal.
The landlocked country, which relies on Russia for energy and is involved in a major gas pipeline project with Russia and China, has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and abstained from voting on related UN resolutions.
