Mongolia explains decision not to arrest Putin during his visit
Russia's leader Vladimir Putin (Photo: Getty Images)
Mongolia cannot arrest Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who is on a visit to the country, due to its dependence on Russian energy imports, according to Politico.
According to a spokesperson for the Mongolian government, the country is in an energy dependency situation, which complicates the possibility of arresting Putin under the ICC warrant.
"Mongolia imports 95% of its petroleum products and over 20% of electricity from our immediate neighborhood, which has previously suffered interruption for technical reasons. This supply is critical to ensure our existence and that of our people," the spokesperson said.
He noted, "Mongolia has always maintained a policy of neutrality in all its diplomatic relations, as demonstrated in our statements of record to date."
The government spokesperson also added that Putin's visit is in line with the historical precedent of joint celebrations by heads of state on the anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over Japan at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939. This is why the Russian dictator came to Mongolia.
Putin's visit to Mongolia
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia yesterday, September 2, even though the country ratified the Rome Statute.
This obliges Mongolia to comply with the decisions of the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for Putin's arrest for the deportation of Ukrainian children. However, the country did not arrest the Russian dictator.
According to the Kremlin's press service, Putin came to Mongolia at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh.
For more details on why Putin went to Mongolia and why the country is ignoring the ICC warrant, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
