EU criticizes Mongolia for failing to arrest Putin during visit

The European Union expressed regret that Mongolia, a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), did not fulfill its obligation to execute the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Mongolian Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan shake hands during their meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 03 September 2024. Putin visits Mongolia in his first trip to a member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the court issued an arrest warrant for him

EPA/BYAMBASUREN BYAMBA-OCHIR

Putin's visit to Mongolia came despite the ICC's arrest warrant issued in March 2023, which accuses him of war crimes, including the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia, according to a statement by EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano.

"President Putin is under an arrest warrant by the ICC for international crimes, specifically alleged crimes of unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories in the context of his illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," Stano stated.

Mongolia: 🇪🇺regrets that 🇲🇳, a State Party to the Rome Statute of the ⁦@IntlCrimCourt⁩, did not comply with its obligations under the statute to execute the arrest warrant against 🇷🇺 President Putin for crimes commited in 🇺🇦 https://t.co/2ckc5gOcYv

— Peter Stano (@ExtSpoxEU) September 3, 2024

The EU reiterated its strong support for efforts to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other serious violations connected to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Mongolia is the first country that recognizes the ICC's jurisdiction to host Putin since the warrant was issued.

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Source: IAR