Putin's Red-Carpet Welcome in Mongolia Amid ICC Warrant Controversy

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome in Mongolia, despite calls for his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. This visit tested Mongolia's diplomatic balance between its historical ties with Russia and its legal obligations to the ICC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a red-carpet welcome in Mongolia on Tuesday, defying international calls to arrest him on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes stemming from Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

This trip marks Putin's first visit to an ICC member nation since the warrant's issuance in March 2023. Prior to his visit, Ukraine urged Mongolia to hand Putin over to the ICC, while the European Union voiced concerns about potential non-compliance.

The Mongolian government faced a diplomatic dilemma. Historically close to the Soviet Union and now a democracy, Mongolia remains heavily reliant on Russia and China economically. Putin's visit included high-profile agreements and ceremonies laden with symbolism, underscoring his continued political maneuvering despite international isolation.

(With inputs from agencies.)