Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on a two-day visit. The International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered the Mongolian government to arrest Putin but awarded him a guard of honour. According to news agency TAAS, Putin was given a traditional welcome in the capital Ulaanbaatar, defying the ICC order. Meanwhile, the monument to Genghis Khan was painted with the flags of Mongolia and Russia. However, some human rights activists were also protesting outside the airport. But the government left no stone unturned to welcome him. Foreign Minister Batamunk Batsetseg himself welcomed him at the airport. ICC ordered Putin's arrest Mongolia is a member state of the ICC. The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March 2023. Putin was accused of war crimes in Ukraine for the kidnapping and deportation of children. The ICC ordered the Mongolian government to arrest Putin. Putin has visited 12 countries since the warrant was issued. This includes countries like China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Until now, Putin has avoided traveling to any ICC member country. However, looking at President Putin's reception, it seems clear that Mongolia has ignored the ICC mandate. Mongolia is heavily dependent on Russia According to the New York Times, the ICC said before Putin's visit that Mongolia is bound to arrest Putin but is highly dependent on Russia, so the chances of his arrest are slim. The report called it a symbolic victory for Putin. Alexander Gabuev, a Russia expert, said Putin's visit meant Mongolia needed Russia more than the ICC. Mongolia signed the ICC Statute 22 years ago, which has no meaning now. The ICC does not have the power to arrest anyone and relies on its member states to carry out its orders. Many big countries including India, China, Turkey, Pakistan, Russia are not members of ICC, so they do not follow its orders. Ukraine said – Mongolia will be punished for this Ukraine has criticized Putin's visit to Mongolia. Ukraine's foreign ministry said Mongolia had given a war criminal a chance to escape. Mongolia will pay the price. Ukraine, along with its allies, will surely punish Mongolia for this. Putin will meet President Ukhina Khurelsukh on Tuesday. The two leaders will attend an event marking 85 years since the victory of Soviet and Mongol troops over Japanese forces in 1939. Mongolia buys oil and electricity from Russia Mongolia is located between Russia and China. Mongolia has good relations with both countries. Mongolia is highly dependent on Russia for oil and electricity and China for many other things. During the Soviet Union, Mongolia's relations were only with Russia. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Mongolia also established relations with China. Mongolia is not on any side in the Russia-Ukraine war. He believes in maintaining a balance with both sides. Before Putin's visit, French President Macron, US Foreign Minister Blinken and then British Foreign Minister Cameron have reached Mongolia.
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Putin Arrives in Mongolia, Honored with Guard of Honor Instead of Arrest: Even ICC Warrant Drinks; Ukraine said – we will teach Mongolia a lesson
