Putin Will Not Attend Mexico Presidential Inauguration Amid Ukraine's Arrest Demands

Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not travel to Mexico for the inauguration of elected President Claudia Sheinbaum after Ukraine has requested that the Kremlin leader be arrested if he visits the country.

Alexander Shchetinin, director of the Latin American department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated in an interview with RTVI:

"We received such an invitation [to the inauguration of the Mexican President], and we are grateful to the Mexican side for it."

He mentioned that Putin has appointed a representative to attend the events on behalf of Russia.

Shchetinin did not clarify the reasons for Putin's refusal but added that "Moscow is acting in accordance with existing protocol practices and the obligations of the Russian leader."

"We hope that your activities as president will contribute to the further development of constructive cooperation between our countries," stated Putin.

In early August, Ukraine has requested Mexico to arrest Russian leader Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum in October.

Mexico signed the Rome Statute in 2005, placing it under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.

On March 17, 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine. Now, the Russian leader can be detained in any country that has ratified the Rome Statute.