Mongolia under pressure: Ukraine criticizes Putin visit sharply

Von Kl Redaktion

Kiev/Ulan Bator (dpa) - In a explosive diplomatic incident, Ukraine criticized the Mongolian government hard after it received the Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Horhij Tychyj, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Mongolia is drawn to jointly responsible for Putin's alleged war crimes. The focus is particularly on an arrest warrant that was issued against Putin due to suspected war crimes, especially in connection with the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.

On Monday evening Putin landed in Mongolia, where he was invited to conversations with President Uchnaagiin Chürelsuch. Tychyj expressed that Ukraine, together with its international partners, would work to take the Mongolian government to account for its decision. It is feared that Ulan Bator will be a significant setback for the international criminal law system with this decision.

criticism of the Mongolian government

The Ukrainians put pressure on Mongolia by making it clear that the refusal to enforce the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ISC) will not remain without consequences. This is particularly explosive, since the arrest warrant has existed since March of the previous year and is directly related to the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia, on the other hand, is unimpressed. According to the Kremlin, there is no risk for Putin during his stay in Ulan Bator. Dmitri Peskow, the spokesman for the Kremlin, emphasizes that friendly relationships between Russia and Mongolia are not endangered and that Putin is therefore not to debate. This is Putin's first trip to a country that recognizes the ICCHH since the beginning of the war against Ukraine.

The diplomatic situation is complicated because Mongolia tries to find a balance between the interests of its great neighbors - Russia and China - and the western world. In addition, Mongolia is economically dependent on Russia, which makes Putin's possible arrest. Mongolia is therefore perceived as a country that, despite international requests, do not want to endanger its relationships with Russia.

Putin uses this trip to demonstrate that despite the turmoil of war, it is not isolated and can still find international allies. The reception in Mongolia could thus be interpreted as a sign of support and resistance to the pressure of the West.