Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday for an official visit, marking his first trip to a country that is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the court issued an arrest warrant against him nearly 18 months ago for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

During his visit, Putin is scheduled to meet with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues. The visit has drawn international attention due to Mongolia's status as an ICC member, which theoretically obligates the country to detain suspects under ICC arrest warrants.

Ukraine has called on Mongolia to arrest Putin and hand him over to the ICC in The Hague. However, the ICC lacks enforcement mechanisms, leaving the decision up to the Mongolian authorities.

The Kremlin, responding to the calls for Putin’s arrest, stated last week that it is not concerned about the visit. Mongolia, which is strategically situated between Russia and China, relies heavily on Russia for fuel and electricity and on China for investment in its mining sector, creating a complex geopolitical situation for Ulaanbaatar.

The visit highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in light of the ICC’s actions and the broader international response to the conflict in Ukraine. (ILKHA)