Russian President Begins Visit to Mongolia

This is his first visit to an ICC member state since the International Court issued an arrest warrant against him.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh as part of a visit to Mongolia that defies the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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Putin was received with full honors in Genghis Khan Square in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, which is celebrating the 85th anniversary of the victory of Mongolian and Soviet forces against Imperial Japan.

During the meeting, Putin and Khurelsukh reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation on economic issues, particularly in the areas of fuel, energy, transportation, environment, culture, education, and health. They also signed an agreement for the supply of petroleum products and the preparation of design and budget documentation for the expansion and modernization of Thermal Power Plant No. 3.

Khurelsukh noted that the construction of the Egiin Gol hydroelectric power plant is “advancing thanks to the joint efforts of both parties” and appreciated the decision to establish a joint working group to conduct an environmental assessment.

The two leaders expressed confidence that the provisional Free Trade Agreement to be signed in December between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union could create new opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation.

Putin and Khurelsukh also agreed on the importance of accelerating the creation of the Mongolia-Russia-China Economic Corridor. The Russian leader invited the Mongolian president to the BRICS summit, which will take place from October 22 to 24 in the city of Kazan.

“It will be the first event of this level following the expansion of the organization, and we hope to participate in the BRICS+ format,” Putin said, also inviting Khurelsukh to the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, to be held on May 9, 2025.

This is Putin’s first visit to an ICC member state since the court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian president in 2023 for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. On August 30, the ICC officially requested that Mongolia cooperate with the court and detain the Russian president.