Putin visits Mongolia, ignoring ICC arrest warrant for war crimes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin went to Mongolia in a feature that was an abrupt, public challenge to an arrest warrant issued for him by the International Criminal Court with allegations of war crimes related to the Ukraine conflict. This visit, his first to an ICC member country since the warrant was issued put Mongolia on the spot. Since Mongolia is ratified with the Rome Statute, it also has the legal responsibility to arrest persons wanted by the ICC. However, the country continues to rely on Russia for fuel and electricity hence making it impossible for the country to act on the warrant.

On his recent tour to Ulaanbaatar Putin was received with all the honor befitting a Head of State; he was welcomed with a ceremonious reception reminiscent of the Mongolian Genghis period. He had diplomatic meeting with the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to show the great relation between the two countries. I Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s death, Mongolia did not execute the arrest warrant, even when pressured by Ukraine as part of the international community and the European Union. Some of the protesters were evacuated by local authorities which underlined the tienuous position of Mongolia on the foreign duties and its dependence on Russia.

A few days ago, Putin had a number of international visits, which make one think that he is trying to stay relevant in the world politics despite being increasingly isolated by the West over the war in Ukraine. His visit to Mongolia also can be regarded as a part of his overall plan to strengthen connections with regional partners in order to balance the effects of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.