Mongolia declines to arrest Putin, citing reliance on Russian energy

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia on Monday, Sept. 2, drew significant international attention . Since March 2023, the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant accusing Putin of war crimes, specifically for deporting and transferring children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.

As a member of the ICC , Mongolia is legally required to act on this warrant. However, instead of arresting Putin, Mongolian leaders welcomed him while protests erupted in the capital. Some locals supporting Ukraine and opposing the war tried to display Ukrainian flags but were quickly removed by police.

So why didn’t Mongolia arrest Putin? The country’s reliance on Russian energy plays a major role. Mongolia imports 95% of its petroleum and more than 20% of its electricity from Russia. According to a government spokesperson, this supply is essential for the country’s survival and the well-being of its people.

This dependence makes it difficult for Mongolia to take any action that could upset Moscow, which holds significant economic and political influence. With a population of about 3.3 million, Mongolia is wedged between Russia and China, both critical trading partners and energy suppliers. The Mongolian government said neutrality is key to its foreign policy , helping the country avoid tensions with either neighbor.

It’s a tough position, especially when the ICC expects Mongolia to comply with arresting a leader like Putin. Historically, Mongolia has carefully balanced its diplomatic relationships, maintaining neutrality in global conflicts.

Even Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine hasn’t shifted that stance.

Mongolia’s refusal to arrest Putin isn’t without risk. Legal experts suggest the ICC could take action against Mongolia for failing to comply, though the consequences are unclear.

There is precedent: In 2015, South Africa faced a similar situation when it didn’t arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was wanted for crimes against humanity. South Africa was found in breach of its duties, but no serious penalties followed.

During Putin’s visit, both countries signed agreements to boost cooperation. They agreed on plans to upgrade power plants and secure the supply of Russian aviation fuel. They also signed an environmental study to assess the potential impacts of a hydroelectric plant Mongolia plans to build, a project Russia fears could affect Lake Baikal.

Additionally, Putin invited Mongolia’s president to the upcoming BRICS summit , aiming to further strengthen their relationship.

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