Kremlin Unbothered by Putin's Journey to ICC Member Nation Mongolia
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Vladimir Putin's Unbothered Visit to Mongolia Despite ICC Warrant
Russian President Vladimir Putin is heading to Mongolia next Tuesday for a peace celebration, completely unbothered by the fact that Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and has an arrest warrant out for him over suspicions of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
The ICC's Rome Statute states that members must detain suspects if the court issues an arrest warrant. Yet, the court lacks its own enforcement mechanism – just as famously demonstrated when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited South Africa in 2015, an ICC member, without facing any consequences.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, brushed off any concerns regarding the trip, stating during a press conference on Friday that, "We have a great rapport going on with our buddies in Mongolia."
The ICC issued a statement affirming Mongolia's responsibility to cooperate with the court, emphasizing that the ICC relies on its members and partners to execute decisions, including arrest warrants. However, the statement failed to elaborate on specific measures if non-cooperation occurs.
Putin's visit is scheduled for ceremonial events marking the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian armed forces over Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River. The Russian leader will participate in talks with Mongolian officials upon arrival.
The ICC has accused Putin of personal responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine, and this is the first time the global court has indicted a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The court also indicted Putin's children's rights envoy, Maria Lvova-Belova, along with former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov on charges of war crimes and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts.
Russia refuses to recognize the ICC's jurisdiction and has not handed over any suspects. Officials have dismissed the warrants as "null and void." Since the arrest warrant was issued, Putin has not traveled to ICC member states, skipping a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies last year in South Africa.
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- The upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Mongolia for a peace celebration has stirred concerns and worries amidst the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest over suspected war crimes in Ukraine.
- The ICC's statement emphasized Mongolia's responsibility to cooperate with the court regarding Putin's arrest warrant, but it remains unclear what measures will be taken if non-cooperation occurs.
- In the global news and politics realm, Putin's general news and shortcuts around the ICC warrant have highlighted a growing concern for war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, especially as Putin's indictment by the ICC marks a first for a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
- Russia's disregard for the ICC's jurisdiction, as evidenced by Putin's refusal to travel to ICC member states, raises questions about the effectiveness of the court in holding leaders accountable for their actions.
