US advises Mongolia to emphasize its support for Ukraine's sovereignty in discussions with Putin

Miller stated that, according to the US, countries should not provide Russian President Vladimir Putin with a platform to advance his aggressive war against Ukraine. The US expects Mongolia to uphold its commitments and continue supporting the principles of the UN Charter, including those related to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At the same time, the State Department representative expressed an understanding of Mongolia's situation as a much smaller country situated between two major neighbors, Russia and China. Miller assured that the US will continue to support Mongolia, but emphasized the importance of the country adhering to its international obligations.

"And it’s important that if they do communicate with Russia that they make clear that they support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty," Miller said.

Putin in Mongolia

Russian President Vladimir Putin began his official visit to Mongolia on September 2.

Despite ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ulaanbaatar has refused to execute its arrest warrant for Putin related to the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. Mongolian authorities explained their stance by citing the country's dependence on Russian energy products. The statement did not mention Mongolia's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Members of the European Parliament are urging EU High Representative Josep Borrell to respond to Mongolia's actions if the country does not arrest Putin under the ICC warrant.

Russian officials believe that Ulaanbaatar has effectively snubbed both the ICC and the EU.

For more on why Putin has traveled to Mongolia and why the country is ignoring the ICC warrant, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.