Despite the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Vladimir Putin will travel to Mongolia on 3 September, a member country of this international court. The Russian president, who is accused by the ICC of the ‘illegal deportation’ of Ukrainian children, will be making an official visit at the invitation of Mongolian president Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. The visit marks Putin’s first trip to a signatory state of the Rome Statute since the arrest warrant was issued in March 2023.

Mongolia, a signatory of the Rome Statute since 2000 and a member since 2002, is obliged to execute the ICC’s arrest warrants, including the one for Vladimir Putin. Despite this, the Kremlin has always rejected the ICC’s accusations, as well as those against other high-ranking Russian military officials.

Since the warrant was issued, Putin has avoided travelling to ICC member countries, notably bypassing the BRICS summit in South Africa and the G20 summit in India. However, he has made visits to China, North Korea and Azerbaijan, nations that are not members of the ICC.

In Mongolia, Vladimir Putin will take part in celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian forces over Japanese militarists at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939. During their visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation, as well as a number of international and regional issues. The visit will also provide an opportunity to sign a number of bilateral agreements.

Putin last visited Mongolia in September 2019. The country, rich in natural resources and strategically located between Russia and China, is at the heart of the interests of major powers, notably the United States, which is seeking to strengthen its influence in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron also visited Mongolia in May 2023 as part of the deepening of bilateral energy relations.