Mongolian President pays a visit to Russia

Freshened Version

Hey there! Let's talk about the recent visit of Mongolia's President, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, to Moscow. Invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Khurelsukh is scheduled to participate in the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory in the Great Patriotic War on May 9.

During his visit, Khurelsukh will attend an official meeting with Putin and engage in discussions on bilateral relations. The grand military parade on Red Square will kick off at 10:00, with President Khurelsukh joining leaders of 19 other countries. Soldiers from the Mongolian Armed Forces were originally slated to participate in the Victory Parade.

The itinerary also includes Khurelsukh laying flowers at significant memorials such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden and the monument to Mongolian horses "On the Paths of War" on Poklonnaya Hill. Meetings with Russian citizens honored with Mongolian titles are also in the works.

This isn't the first time Khurelsukh has visited Russia – their last chat was back in December 2021, where they discussed strategic partnership, economy, and humanitarian cooperation in Moscow. Interestingly, Putin made an official visit to Mongolia in September 2024, coinciding with the 85th anniversary of the victory of the USSR and Mongolia at Khalkhin Gol.

However, despite Mongolia being a member of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the country declared no intention of arresting Putin during his visit due to economic reasons and its strategic policy of neutrality in diplomatic relations. This decision stirred controversy, as the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023, accusing him of unlawful deportation of population (children) from occupied territories of Ukraine to the Russian Federation since the start of full-scale military actions in Ukraine.

Russia rejected this decision, claiming it to be legally void since Russia withdrew from the ICC's jurisdiction in 2016. Countries bound by the Rome Statute are obligated to execute the ICC's arrest warrant and detain Putin if he enters their territory.

In a first for the ICC, Mongolian representative Erdenebalsüren Damdin, who studied law at Irkutsk State University, joined the bench. This was seen as a positive step for Mongolia's international standing. However, the ICC later penalized Mongolia for its refusal to arrest Putin.

Now, here's the interesting part – Mongolia declined to arrest Putin due to its dependence on Russia for energy resources and its commitment to political neutrality in diplomatic relations. Opting to prioritize its economy and sovereignty over enforcing the ICC warrant, Mongolia faced penalties from the ICC.

So, there you have it! A quick rundown of the current situation as Mongolia's President hangs out with Putin in Moscow, all while dodging the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant due to its ties with Russia. Stay tuned for more updates as things unfold!

[1] Mongolia's Economic Dependence on Russia: Implications and Strategies for Diversification. (2021). Asian Development Bank.[4] Mongolia's Energy Security: Options for Improvement. (2020). Chatham House.

In 2024, Mongolia's political landscape will be influenced as President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh hosts Vladimir Putin for a visit that coincides with the 85th anniversary of the victory of the USSR and Mongolia at Khalkhin Gol.
Despite being a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mongolia opted not to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit in 2024 due to its dependence on Russia for energy resources and commitment to political neutrality, resulting in penalties from the ICC.
Mongolia's representative, Erdenebalsüren Damdin, made a significant stride in 2023 when he joined the bench at the ICC, boosting Mongolia's international standing in the global legal community.
Mongolia's reliance on Russia for energy resources and dedication to political neutrality have made it challenging to make decisions such as enforcing the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin, complicating the country's domestic and international relations.