Putin's Mongolia visit: A test amid ICC arrest warrant controversy

Vladimir Putin is planning his first visit to Mongolia since March 2023 - he is expected to arrive on 3 September. This event garners interest because Mongolia is a signatory of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader in March 2023.

This warrant pertains to allegations related to the illegal deportation of children from occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The ICC accuses Putin of direct responsibility for these actions, which are considered a war crime.

The issuance of this warrant was met with various reactions on the international stage.

Western countries, including the USA and European Union nations, supported the ICC's actions, emphasizing the need for accountability for war crimes. Meanwhile, Russia rejected the accusations, calling the ICC's actions political and illegal. This tug-of-war has been ongoing for years while Putin continues to move freely between Russia and its allied countries.

Despite potential complications related to the international arrest warrant, the Kremlin appears calm ahead of the planned visit. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, emphasized that "relations with Mongolia are very good." According to him, the dialogue between Russia and Mongolia is "excellent," suggesting that both sides are closely cooperating in preparing for the visit.

According to the Nexta agency, when Dmitry Peskov was asked whether the Russian authorities discussed issues related to the ICC arrest warrant with the Mongolian government, he replied that all aspects of the visit were carefully prepared. This statement suggests that the Kremlin has taken appropriate steps to ensure that Putin's visit will proceed without issues despite the existing arrest warrant.

The international community will undoubtedly be closely watching the Russian leader's journey. Its course could significantly impact relations between Russia and other countries, particularly those connected to the Rome Statute. Although not a signatory of the Statute, Russia will have to balance its actions to avoid further complications on the international stage.

Ultimately, this visit will be a test for both Mongolia and Putin, showing how both countries handle the pressure resulting from the International Criminal Court's decision.