Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again defied the international community by being welcomed with full honours in Mongolia, despite the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The visit, which took place on Tuesday, became his first state visit to an ICC member country since the warrant was issued last year.
Putin was welcomed in Ulaanbaatar with a red carpet ceremony by Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. The reception included an honour guard in uniforms inspired by the legendary leader Genghis Khan, some of them mounted on horses, in a clear sign of the warm welcome offered to the Russian leader. After the formal greetings, both leaders met in a traditional yurt located in the state palace of the Mongolian capital.
Relations between Russia and Mongolia
During the meeting, Putin stressed the strength of ties between Russia and Mongolia, saying that “relations between the Russian Federation and Mongolia are developing in all directions,” according to remarks reported by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. The meeting has been interpreted by some as a sign that Western efforts to isolate Putin have not had the desired impact. Since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has sought to reduce the moral and legal influence of the international court, while seeking to reassert its authority in managing natural resources in its sphere of influence.
Mongolia, a country dependent on Russia for 95% of its oil products, has avoided condemning the war in Ukraine and has abstained from voting on UN resolutions related to the conflict. Moreover, Mongolia became one of the main destinations for Russian citizens fleeing their country in 2022, following the Kremlin’s announcement of a mobilization campaign. This close relationship with Russia and the reception given to Putin underline the influence that Moscow still exerts over some of its neighbors, despite international pressure.
Putin’s first visit in five years
President Khurelsukh expressed his appreciation for Putin’s visit, the first in five years, and noted the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. “It is gratifying to note that the relations between our countries and peoples are traditionally friendly and have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Khurelsukh said, stressing the importance of maintaining close relations with Russia.
The reaction in Ukraine was swift. Ukrainian authorities, who have suffered recent Russian missile and drone attacks, expressed outrage at Putin’s visit to Mongolia and warned that they would seek to “ensure that this has consequences” for the host country. The visit has been perceived as a provocation and a sign of impunity, and has openly defied the international arrest warrant against the Russian president.
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