"He Is A Fugitive And A Criminal" - Putin's Visit To Mongolia Sparks International Outcry

The Russian president was warmly received and even greeted with an honor guard at the airport.

Davy

• Published in News
• September 3, 2024

Vladimir Putin, the 71-year-old Russian president, is currently at the center of a major international controversy following his recent visit to Mongolia. The visit has sparked widespread outrage and criticism from various countries, human rights organizations, and international legal bodies.

The controversy stems from Mongolia's decision not to arrest Putin upon his arrival, despite an existing arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This warrant, issued in March 2023, charges Putin with serious war crimes, including his role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Mongolia, as a member of the ICC, is obligated under international law to detain the Russian leader and hand him over to the court. However, instead of fulfilling this legal obligation, Mongolian authorities chose to greet Putin with an honor guard at the airport, effectively offering him a warm and ceremonious welcome.

This decision has been met with fierce criticism from international observers, who argue that Mongolia’s actions undermine the authority of the ICC and the broader international legal system. Critics have been vocal in their condemnation, labeling Putin as a “fugitive criminal” who has consistently demonstrated his willingness to disregard and violate international laws with impunity.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin in Mongolia

Mongolia is a member of the ICC

Mongolia is a member of the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 due to his involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. As a result, the country was technically obligated to arrest Putin, but this did not happen. Instead, on Monday, the Russian president was warmly received and even greeted with an honor guard at the airport.

The Kremlin had already indicated last week that it was not concerned about a possible arrest. “We have a good dialogue with our friends in Mongolia,” said spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Putin with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh

No One is Above the Law

Putin's visit to Mongolia has been met with strong disapproval from various countries and international organizations. According to a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mongolia is now complicit in Putin's war crimes. “By allowing an indicted criminal to evade justice, the country has effectively aided in his escape,” the spokesperson said.

Altantuya Batdorj, director of Amnesty International Mongolia, also described Putin as “a fugitive criminal.” Batdorj believes that Putin will continue to violate international law. “This is part of a strategic effort to undermine the work of the ICC,” she stated.

The European Commission had previously urged Mongolia to comply with ICC regulations, and Human Rights Watch also weighed in on the issue. “Welcoming Putin would not only be an insult to the many victims of crimes committed by Russian forces, but it would also undermine the crucial principle that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law,” said the human rights organization.

Limited Consequences

When a member state fails to fulfill its obligations to the ICC, the court can refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties, which meets once a year. However, the potential sanctions are typically limited to verbal reprimands. While the ICC emphasized last week that Mongolia must adhere to the rules, in practice, little can be done if the country chooses to ignore them.

Davy