International Court Urges Mongolia to Arrest Putin During Visit Amid War Crimes Allegations
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally reminded Mongolia of its obligations under international law to apprehend Russian President Vladimir Putin during his scheduled visit to the nation. This comes in the wake of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for Putin, who is accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
Arriving on Monday night at Buyant Ukhaa International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, Putin was welcomed by Mongolia's Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg and Russian Ambassador Yevsikov Alexei Nikolaevich, amidst a notably strong diplomatic presence, as reported by Mongolian agency Montsame.
Putin's visit marks a significant moment, being his first to an ICC member state since the court's indictment last year. During this trip, he is set to engage in official meetings with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, where several agreements are expected to be signed to bolster the longstanding bilateral relationship, rooted in a Treaty of Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2019. He is also scheduled to take part in a commemorative event marking the 85th anniversary of the Khalkh River battle, a historic showdown between Soviet-Mongolian troops and Japanese forces.
The ICC, which Mongolia signed up to in 2000 and fully ratified in 2002, reiterated the necessity for member states to assist in compliance with the court's mandates. Specifically, the court appealed to Mongolia to fulfill its responsibilities by arresting Putin, which reflects the obligations stipulated in Chapter IX of the Rome Statute. The ICC underscored that failure to act could prompt judicial reports to the Assembly of States Parties, leading to potential repercussions for Mongolia, although enforcing such measures is complicated.
The diplomatic landscape surrounding this situation is tense. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has publicly stated its hope that Mongolia acknowledges the severity of Putin's actions, labeling him a war criminal. They pointed to grave offenses, including the abduction of Ukrainian children, that warrant accountability and demand that leaders of Russia, including Putin, face justice.
Despite the ICC's appeals and Ukraine's urgings, the historical ties between Mongolia and Russia, dating back to 1921, add layers of complexity. The two countries established embassies in each other's capitals in 1922, reflecting a profound diplomatic relationship that persists amid escalating international tensions.
What remains to be seen is how Mongolia will navigate this precarious balance of upholding international law while maintaining strong connections with its neighbor to the north as Putin's visit unfolds.
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