Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome during his official visit to Mongolia, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The warrant, relating to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, did not deter Ulaanbaatar from welcoming Putin with open arms.
The Mongolian capital rolled out the red carpet for Putin, with an honour guard greeting him as he arrived to meet Mongolian leader Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. Despite a small protest demanding his arrest, Mongolia has chosen to ignore the warrant and maintain friendly relations with Russia.
Putin and Khurelsukh are set to attend a ceremony commemorating a joint victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army in 1939. The visit comes amid discussions of economic and industrial projects between the two countries, including the construction of the Trans-Mongolian gas pipeline linking China and Russia.
Despite calls from Ukraine for Putin’s arrest, Mongolia’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine has been neutral, leading to skepticism from human rights organizations. Amnesty International Mongolia’s executive director labeled Putin a “fugitive from justice” and expressed concerns about the message his visit sends.
As Putin and Khurelsukh explore potential opportunities for cooperation, the visit highlights Mongolia’s delicate balancing act between two powerful neighbors – Russia and China. Putin’s visit also sets the stage for potential trilateral summits between himself, the Mongolian leader, and Chinese officials in the future.
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