Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues Démarche to Mongolia Over Putin's Visit

On September 12, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a démarche to the Mongolian side during a meeting with Gankhuurai Battungalag, Director General of the Europe and Africa Department at the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had arrived in Kyiv from Ulaanbaatar at the Ukrainian invitation.

Ukraine expressed its deep disappointment to the Mongolian side over Mongolia's refusal, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, to execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his stay in the country.

“Ukraine will not leave such actions without an appropriate response. Mongolia's decision will be considered in future policy regarding the development of bilateral relations with Mongolia and in shaping Ukraine's stance on supporting the country in international formats,” the statement released by the MFA reads.

“At the same time, Ukraine hopes that Mongolia will take effective steps to restore the constructive nature of the traditionally friendly Ukrainian-Mongolian relations, which is in the interest of both states.”

In early September, Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia, marking his first trip to an International Criminal Court member country since the ICC issued an arrest warrant. Despite Mongolia's obligations under the Rome Statute, Putin was not detained during his visit. This decision came despite prior calls from Ukraine and the European Union for Mongolia to arrest and hand over the Russian leader to the court in The Hague.