Putin reached Mongolia, got guard of honor instead of arrest: Genghis Khan’s monument was painted with Russian flag: ICC had issued warrant
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday night on a two-day visit. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had ordered the Mongolian government to arrest Putin, but he was honored with a guard of honor.
According to the news agency TAAS, ignoring the ICC’s order, Putin was welcomed in a traditional manner in the capital Ulaanbaatar. During this, the monument of Genghis Khan was painted with the flags of Mongolia and Russia.
Although some human rights supporters were protesting outside the airport, the government left no stone unturned in welcoming him. Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg himself reached the airport to welcome him.
ICC had ordered Putin’s arrest
Mongolia is a member country of ICC. ICC had issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March 2023. Putin was accused of war crimes on charges of kidnapping and deportation of children in Ukraine. ICC had ordered the Mongolian government to arrest Putin.
Putin has visited 12 countries since the warrant was issued. These include countries like China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
Putin has so far avoided visiting any country that is a member of the ICC. However, looking at the welcome President Putin received, it seems clear that Mongolia has ignored the ICC’s order.
Mongolia is too dependent on Russia
According to the New York Times, before Putin’s visit, the ICC had said that Mongolia is bound to arrest Putin, but it is too dependent on Russia. Therefore, the possibility of his arrest is very low.
The report calls it a symbolic victory for Putin. Russia expert Alexander Gabuev said that Putin’s visit means that Mongolia needs Russia more than the ICC. 22 years ago Mongolia signed the ICC laws, which now have no meaning.
ICC does not have the power to arrest anyone and it depends on its member countries to follow its orders. Many big countries including India, China, Turkey, Pakistan, Russia are not members of ICC, so they do not follow its orders.
