Mongolia did not arrest Vladimir Putin on an International Criminal Court warrant because of its energy dependence and neutrality policy.
“Mongolia imports 95% of its petroleum products and over 20% of its electricity from neighboring countries. These provisions are essential to ensure that we are there and that our people are there,” values Politico published an anonymous Mongolian government spokesperson.
Energy dependence is what puts Mongolia, between Russia and China, in a difficult position.
“Mongolia has always maintained a policy of neutrality in all its diplomatic relations, as reflected in our official statements to date,” the government spokesman said.
Vladimir Putin on September 2 arrived to Mongolia on an official visit. They rolled out a red carpet for the Russian leader and organized an honor guard.
This is Putin’s first visit to a country that has signed the Rome Statute and accepts the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Previously ICC sent out Arrest warrant for Russian leader suspected of war crimes over invasion of Ukraine.
The International Criminal Court was established in 1998. It is an international criminal justice body. The Court hears cases against people responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, aggression and war crimes.
Mongolia has been a member of the ICC since 2002.