In a bold and unprecedented move, Ukraine has called on Mongolia to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his upcoming visit to the country, citing an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement today, urging Mongolian authorities to “execute the obligatory international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.” This plea is based on the ICC’s mandate concerning Putin’s involvement in the “kidnapping” of Ukrainian children, which Ukraine argues is just one of many crimes for which the Russian leader and other top military officials must be held accountable.
The ministry further condemned Putin and his military leadership for their roles in what it described as a “war of aggression against Ukraine,” listing atrocities including “murder, rape, theft, the bombing of civilian infrastructure, and genocide.”
In a parallel call to action, the ICC has also formally requested that Mongolia enforce the arrest warrant against Putin, who is scheduled to visit the country on September 3rd. The court highlighted that Mongolia, as a State Party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, is legally obligated to cooperate with the court’s orders, including executing arrest warrants.
The ICC warned that failure to comply could lead to a formal declaration of non-cooperation by the court’s judges, which would then be reported to the Assembly of States Parties for further action.
Putin’s visit to Mongolia, where he is set to meet with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar, is expected to include discussions on bilateral relations and cooperation. Additionally, Putin will attend a commemorative event marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Khalkh River, a significant conflict between Soviet and Mongolian forces against the Japanese military.
This visit marks Putin’s first trip to a member state of the ICC since the court issued its arrest warrant against him last year, a move that Moscow has vehemently criticized. The warrant pertains specifically to the deportation of children from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia following its invasion in February 2022.
Despite the looming threat of arrest, the Kremlin has downplayed concerns, with Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, “No, we are not worried… We have a great dialogue with our friends in Mongolia.” Peskov assured that “all aspects of the visit have been carefully prepared,” signaling confidence that Putin’s trip will proceed without incident.
As the world watches closely, the outcome of this visit could set a significant precedent for international law and the enforcement of justice against alleged war crimes.