ICC Confirms Mongolia's Obligation to Arrest Putin if He Enters the Country

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that Mongolia is required to arrest Russian self-proclaimed president Vladimir Putin if he arrives in the country. This obligation stems from Mongolia's commitment to the Rome Statute, which mandates cooperation with the ICC.

ICC spokesperson Fadi el-Abdalla emphasized that while the Court cannot detain suspects on its own, it relies on member states to fulfill this responsibility. Mongolia, as a signatory of the Rome Statute, must enforce this obligation if necessary.

The Kremlin expressed it had "no worries" regarding the upcoming visit scheduled for next Tuesday.

"We have an excellent rapport with our partners from Mongolia," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated to reporters in Moscow.

"Of course, all aspects of the president’s visit have been carefully prepared."

Last year, the court accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of war crimes, particularly focusing on the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. Additionally, a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's commissioner for children's rights, for the same offenses.

On August 30, Ukraine requested Mongolia to arrest Putin if he arrives in the country. The Kremlin announced on August 29 that Vladimir Putin plans to visit Mongolia on September 3.