Human Rights Groups Urge Arrest of Putin in Mongolia

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the European Commission, are urging Mongolia to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit on September 3, 2024, due to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children. Despite Mongolia's obligations as a signatory of the Rome Statute, it is unlikely to comply, given its historically close relations with Russia. Putin's visit marks his first to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued in March 2023, and prior attempts to arrest him, such as during a planned trip to South Africa, were avoided due to similar pressures. Activists argue that failing to arrest Putin would undermine international law and send a troubling message about accountability for war crimes. The EU has communicated its position to Mongolia, emphasizing the legal obligations stemming from the ICC membership. In contrast, Kremlin officials express no concerns about the visit, highlighting Mongolia's supportive diplomatic stance.