AnyTV News Putin arrives in Mongolia, gets a grand welcome

Image Source : AP
Vladimir Putin Mongolia Visit

Ulaanbaatar: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Tuesday. Putin was given a grand welcome despite an international warrant issued for his arrest for alleged war crimes committed during Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. This is Putin’s first visit to an ICC member country after the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant nearly 18 months ago. Before Putin’s visit, Ukraine had called on Mongolia to hand over the Russian President to the ICC. At the same time, the European Union (EU) feared that Mongolia would not execute the arrest warrant. The EU said that it has informed the Mongolian authorities about its concerns in this regard.

a grand reception was held

Security personnel wearing bright red-blue uniforms similar to those of the personal guards of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, saluted Putin at a grand welcome ceremony held at the main square of the capital Ulaanbaatar. After this, Putin, along with his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, climbed the stairs of the ‘Government Palace’ and reached the statue of Genghis Khan and bowed to him. Red carpet was laid on the stairs of the ‘Government Palace’. After paying tribute to Genghis Khan, both the leaders went inside the ‘Government Palace’ for a bilateral meeting.

Image Source : AP

Putin Mongolia Visit

‘Not concerned about warrant’

A spokesman for Putin said last week that the Kremlin (the official residence of the Russian president) was not concerned about the warrant. ICC member countries are obliged to arrest the person in case an arrest warrant is issued. However, Mongolia is a landlocked country, which is dependent on Russia for fuel and energy needs. The International Criminal Court has no mechanism to enforce its warrant. The International Criminal Court has accused Putin of being responsible for the abduction of children from Ukraine.

Putin will attend the ceremony

During his first visit to Mongolia in five years, Putin will attend celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian forces over the Japanese army occupying Manchuria in northeastern China. Thousands of soldiers were killed in months of fighting on the border of Manchuria and Mongolia in 1939. Putin has traveled to several countries in recent months to counter efforts to isolate Russia internationally over its invasion of Ukraine. He visited China in May and North Korea and Vietnam in June, while in July he arrived in Kazakhstan to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). (AP)