Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Mongolia, marking his first trip to the country. Despite the fact that Mongolia is a signatory of the Rome Statute, which obligates them to arrest and hand over individuals wanted by the International Criminal Court, including Putin, it is unlikely that the Russian leader will face detention during his visit. The visit is in commemoration of the Soviet-Mongolian victory over Japan in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939. The Kremlin stated that the two leaders will discuss the further development of the Russian-Mongolian comprehensive strategic partnership during the visit.
The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest last March, accusing Moscow of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year. Mongolia’s neutral stance on the invasion of Ukraine suggests that they are unlikely to detain Putin during his visit. This situation is similar to last year when South Africa, also a Rome Statute signatory, had to seek an exemption to allow Putin to attend a summit. Ultimately, Putin chose to skip the event. Despite the legal obligations of the Rome Statute, political considerations are likely to take precedence in the case of Putin’s visit to Mongolia.
In addition to the planned visit, Russia and Mongolia recently conducted joint military exercises called Selenga-2024. This collaboration between the two countries further demonstrates their strategic partnership and mutual interests. Mongolia has traditionally been a close ally of Russia, and the joint military exercises and Putin’s upcoming visit underscore the continued strength of their relationship. Despite the legal implications of Putin’s visit to a Rome Statute signatory country, Mongolia’s historical ties to Russia may play a significant role in determining the outcome of the visit.
The relationship between Russia and Mongolia extends beyond political and military cooperation. Economic ties between the two countries are also significant, with Russia being a major trading partner for Mongolia. The visit by Putin to Mongolia has the potential to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, as discussions on economic development and trade are likely to be on the agenda during the visit. The strategic partnership between Russia and Mongolia encompasses a wide range of areas, including politics, military cooperation, and economic ties, all of which will be further strengthened through Putin’s visit.
Despite the legal implications of the visit in the context of the Rome Statute, the political and strategic considerations are likely to take precedence during Putin’s visit to Mongolia. The historical and strategic ties between Russia and Mongolia, as well as their shared interests in various areas, suggest that the visit will focus on strengthening their partnership rather than legal proceedings. The joint military exercises and economic cooperation between the two countries highlight the depth of their relationship, which is expected to be further solidified during Putin’s visit. As Putin and the Mongolian president discuss the future of their comprehensive strategic partnership, it is clear that their cooperation will continue to deepen in the years to come.
