Putin Visits Mongolia Amid International Pressure Over ICC Warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia, despite calls for his arrest by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Mongolia, as an ICC member, is under pressure to detain him but remains reliant on Russia for energy. The visit marks Putin's first to an ICC member since the warrant was issued.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia on Tuesday, amid international pressure for his arrest on war crime charges stemming from the invasion of Ukraine. Despite an ICC warrant, Mongolia, reliant on Russia for energy, declined to detain him.

Putin's visit is his first to an ICC member nation since the warrant's issuance 18 months ago. Both Ukraine and the EU urged Mongolia to execute the warrant, but a Kremlin spokesperson stated no concern over potential arrest.

Welcomed with military honors in Ulaanbaatar, Putin and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa discussed bilateral relations. Small protests erupted, but the visit proceeded without incident. Putin invited Khurelsukh to a BRICS summit in Russia, which was accepted.

(With inputs from agencies.)