Mongolia Hosts Putin Despite ICC Arrest Warrant

Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Mongolia has sparked international outrage as the country failed to arrest him despite a binding International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant accusing him of war crimes, specifically the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Mongolia's actions, asserting that the country shares responsibility for Putin's war crimes by allowing him to evade justice. The ICC emphasized that Mongolia, as a member of the Rome Statute, has a legal obligation to detain individuals with outstanding warrants. This visit marks the first time Putin has traveled to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued in March 2023. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its military offensives in eastern Ukraine, with significant clashes reported. The situation has raised concerns regarding Mongolia's economic reliance on Russia, which may have influenced its decision to not act on the ICC warrant.