"A dependent country": Mongolia explains why Putin was not arrested despite the ICC warrant

After ignoring the International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, Mongolian authorities explained their decision by saying their hands were tied. They say that energy dependence puts the country, sandwiched between Russia and China, in a difficult position.

A government official said this in a comment to POLITICO on September 3. "Sorry, our hands are a little bit tied – this is the message of the Mongolian government," the journalists noted.

Putin arrived in Mongolia on an official visit on September 2. The country has obligations to the ICC, but it has not fulfilled the requirement to arrest the war crime suspect.

A government spokesman said that his country imports 95% of its petroleum products and more than 20% of its electricity from its closest neighbors. "These supplies are crucial for our existence and the existence of our people," he said.

"Mongolia has always maintained a policy of neutrality in all its diplomatic relations, as evidenced by our official statements to date," the source added.

POLITICO believes that Ulaanbaatar is forced to "balance on a diplomatic tightrope" in order not to spoil relations with Moscow and Beijing. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has not changed this approach.

At the same time, Mongolia is a member of the ICC and must follow the court's decisions. Earlier, a legal expert told POLITICO that Mongolia is likely to face prosecution for its inaction on the Putin arrest warrant.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

– In Ulaanbaatar, Vladimir Putin was magnificently greeted by an honor guard. Then the war criminal held talks with President Ukhnagiin Khurelsukh.

– Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that Mongolia, which did not comply with the ICC warrant, dealt a heavy blow to the international justice system.

– According to Bloomberg, the official Ulaanbaatar gave guarantees to Moscow in advance that Putin would not be arrested on its territory.

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