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Russian President Vladimir Putin was warmly received by the leader of Mongolia on September 3, 2024, defying an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The visit has drawn global attention as Mongolia, a member of the ICC, chose to ignore calls for Putin’s arrest.

This was Putin’s first state visit to a member nation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since it issued a warrant for his arrest in March 2023 for alleged war crimes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The visit was significant because previously Putin avoided traveling to South Africa, an ICC member, due to the risk of arrest.

In the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, the Russian leader was greeted by an honor guard and the country’s leader President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. Genghis Khan Square, the heart of the capital, was decorated with large Russian and Mongolian flags to mark the occasion.

Putin visited Ulaanbaatar with a large delegation including deputy prime minister Alexei Overchuk, and top officials in energy, defense, foreign affairs, transport, and other ministries.

Russia and Mongolia agree to boost trade & energy ties as Putin visits Ulaanbaatar, defying ICC arrest warrant. Russian leader was warmly received by Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.

Despite global calls for arrest, Mongolia — reliant on Russian fuel — was unlikely to act. pic.twitter.com/jLeInan0xI

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) September 3, 2024

The visit marks Putin’s first to Mongolia in five years, and despite the controversy surrounding his presence, the Russian leader was met with full state honors.

However, not everyone in Mongolia was pleased with the visit. A small group of protesters gathered a day before Putin’s arrival, holding signs that read, “Get War Criminal Putin out of here.” These demonstrators chanted slogans calling for Putin’s arrest and extradition to The Hague.

Mongolia and Russia agree to boost trade and energy ties

The leaders of Russia and Mongolia also held a bilateral meeting and also oversaw the signing of cooperation agreements covering energy, trade, and transport. Agreements signed between the two delegations included the development of project documentation for the reconstruction of Ulaanbaatar’s TPP-3 thermal power plant, cooperation in oil and aviation fuel supply, and an epidemiological welfare pact.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of Lake Baikal and the Selenga River was also signed. The leaders concluded the talks with statements to the media, highlighting the strengthened cooperation between Russia and Mongolia.

“I am pleased to note that the traditionally friendly relations and cooperation between the peoples of our two countries, as eternal neighbors, have become stronger over time and have been given new substance. Today, they have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Khurelsukh said in an official statement following the meeting.

During the visit, Putin and Khurelsukh attended a ceremony commemorating the 1939 victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army in Manchuria, a significant historical event that continues to symbolize the strong ties between the two nations.

Later on September 3, President Putin also met Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene. “Russia views Mongolia as a priority country in terms of expanding our relations. We have been proactive in our political contacts, as well as in terms of our scientific, cultural, and educational exchanges. Our foreign ministries and security agencies have been working together and keeping in touch with one another,” Putin said during his meeting with the Mongolian prime minister.

Putin visits Mongolia defying ICC arrest warrant

Mongolia’s decision not to arrest Putin was criticized by many, including Ukraine, the ICC, and several human rights organizations. Despite the protests and international pressure, Mongolia’s government has shown no intention of detaining Putin.

“Mongolia’s refusal to act on the ICC warrant is deeply troubling,” said Altantuya Batdorj, Executive Director of Amnesty International Mongolia, in a statement. “President Putin is a fugitive from justice. Any trip to an ICC member state that does not end in arrest will encourage President Putin’s current course of action and must be seen as part of a strategic effort to undermine the ICC’s work.”

Despite the legal challenges posed by the ICC warrant, the Kremlin appears unperturbed. A spokesperson for Putin stated last week that there were no concerns about the Russian president being detained during his trip to Mongolia.

The ICC, which relies on member states to enforce its warrants, has no independent enforcement mechanism, making any action against Putin unlikely without Mongolia’s cooperation.

Putin’s visit to Mongolia not only highlights the challenges faced by international legal institutions like the ICC but also underscores the shifting alliances and complex relationships in a rapidly changing global order. As Russia continues to deepen its ties with its neighbors, the visit serves as a reminder of the limitations of international justice when it clashes with the realities of geopolitical and economic interests.

Why Mongolia won’t arrest Putin?

Despite being obligated to detain Putin under the Rome Statute, Mongolia was highly unlikely to arrest Putin due to the country’s heavy dependence on Russian energy.

“Mongolia imports 95% of its petroleum products and over 20% of electricity from our immediate neighborhood, which has previously suffered interruption for technical reasons. This supply is critical to ensure our existence and that of our people,” according to a Mongolian government spokesperson.

Mongolia’s close economic ties with Russia and its strategic position between Russia and China have influenced its decision to maintain a neutral stance on the conflict in Ukraine. The country has refrained from condemning Russia’s actions and has consistently abstained from UN votes related to the war.

Mongolia’s dependence on Russia for fuel and electricity, which powers its exports and transportation, and its reliance on Chinese investment in its mining sector means the country has to be cautious in navigating its foreign policy. Putin’s visit, therefore, is seen as part of Mongolia’s broader strategy to maintain balanced relations with both of its powerful neighbors.