Mongolian authorities may face significant pressure as the International Criminal Court (ICC) has stated that they “have the obligation” to arrest Vladimir Putin if he visits Mongolia next week. This imminent visit, planned for Tuesday, marks the Russian leader’s first trip to an ICC member state since an arrest warrant was issued against him in March 2023.
The ICC has accused Mr. Putin of war crimes, specifically for his alleged role in the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia amidst ongoing conflict.
Despite the calls from Ukrainian officials urging Mongolia to detain Mr. Putin upon arrival, the Kremlin appeared unfazed, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserting that they have “no worries” about the visit. He emphasized the strong relationship between Moscow and Ulaanbaatar, stating, “Of course, all aspects of the President’s visit have been carefully prepared.”
Dr. Fadi el-Abdallah, a spokesperson for the ICC, reiterated that Mongolia, as a signatory of the Court, is mandated to execute its decisions, which includes compliance with arrest warrants like the one issued for Mr. Putin. The ICC has also issued warrants for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, over similar allegations pertaining to war crimes.
These accusations specify that the alleged crimes took place in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, coinciding with Russia’s extensive invasion. Moscow has consistently dismissed these allegations, branding the warrants as “outrageous.”
Dr. el-Abdallah noted that ICC judges are tasked with reviewing instances of “non-cooperation” among member states, potentially leading to measures deemed appropriate by the Assembly of States Parties.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry expressed hopes that Mongolia recognizes the seriousness of Mr. Putin’s alleged war crimes, advocating for his arrest and subsequent extradition to The Hague, the ICC’s headquarters in the Netherlands.
In a related context, Mr. Putin previously withdrew from a summit in South Africa last year after the ICC issued an arrest warrant, reflecting the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding his international engagements. As a signatory to the ICC, South Africa faces similar obligations regarding the detention of suspects within its territory. President Ramaphosa had indicated that the decision for Mr. Putin to refrain from attending was “mutual.”
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Mongolia and its forthcoming actions regarding the ICC’s directives.
