Putin Arrives in Mongolia on September 3 for State Visit Despite ICC Warrant

Sep 2, 2024, 02:06 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia on September 3 for an official state visit, marking the first time he has visited a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the court issued an arrest warrant against him in 2022. Despite calls from Ukraine and human rights organizations for Mongolia to arrest Putin in compliance with the ICC warrant, the Mongolian government welcomed him with a guard of honor in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia, a signatory to the Rome Statute, has faced international pressure to uphold its obligations under the ICC. The visit underscores the strategic importance of Mongolia to Russia, particularly as a transit route for the planned Trans-Mongolian gas pipeline to China.