World
Putin’s Visit to Mongolia Amid International Arrest Warrant
Explore the implications of Putin’s controversial visit to Mongolia against the backdrop of an international arrest warrant. Delve into the political dynamics, regional relationships, and the impact on global diplomacy surrounding this significant event.
Putin’s Upcoming Visit to Mongolia Amidst International Tensions
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is set to make a significant visit to Mongolia next week, as confirmed by the Kremlin on Thursday. This trip comes in the context of the Central Asian nation being a member of the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.), which issued a warrant for his arrest last year due to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Mr. Putin’s visit is scheduled for September 3, following an invitation from Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the president of Mongolia. The trip marks the commemoration of the 85th anniversary of a joint military victory between the two nations. Notably, this will be the first time the Russian president has traveled to an I.C.C. member country since the court’s allegations against him in March 2023.
As a member of the I.C.C., Mongolia is theoretically obligated under international law to arrest individuals for whom arrest warrants have been issued. However, the practical application of this requirement can vary significantly.
Will Mr. Putin Be Arrested?
Concerns regarding Mr. Putin’s safety during this visit appear to be minimal from the Kremlin’s perspective. Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, expressed confidence in the arrangements made for the trip. In a recent interview posted on Telegram, he stated, “There are no worries. We have excellent dialogue with our friends in Mongolia,” emphasizing that “all aspects of the visit were carefully prepared.”
Mongolia’s Foreign Ministry also announced the visit in a press release on Friday, further signaling the country’s readiness to host the Russian leader. According to David Scheffer, a former U.S. ambassador and chief negotiator of the I.C.C. statute, it is unlikely that Mr. Putin would face arrest if he is officially invited into Mongolia. Instead, he may seize this opportunity to use the visit for political leverage, aiming to “propagandize and taunt the I.C.C. and Ukraine.”