Tuesday, September 3, 2024 – 10:09
Another night of drone launches in the 924-day war in Ukraine. Ukraine says it has shot down 27 of the 35 drones launched by Russia in a new night attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Mongolian counterpart in Ulaanbaatar Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, in itsfirst visit to Mongolia in five years, and his trip seems like a act of defiance against the International Criminal Courtwhich issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president; to war-torn Ukraine; and to the numerous Western countries and human rights organizations that have called for his arrest.
Putin is expected to sign several cooperation documents that will strengthen bilateral relations, which are based on a Treaty on Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2019.
This is Putin’s first visit to an ICC member state since the body issued an arrest warrant last year, a decision criticised by Moscow.
Ukraine, which reacted angrily, is calling on Mongolia to hand Putin over to the Hague Tribunal. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiï Tykhiï accused Mongolia of having “allowed the accused criminal to escape justice, thus sharing responsibility for his war crimes.”
“The abduction of Ukrainian children is just one of many crimes for which Putin and the rest of Russia’s political and military leaders must face justice,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.