Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in Mongolia, greeted by ceremonial guards and the country’s foreign minister, all while the shadow of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant looms over him.
Can you believe this is Putin’s first trip to a country that’s part of the ICC since that warrant was issued? It’s been about 18 months since the ICC called for his arrest on charges related to war crimes, and here he is, making his way through Mongolia like it’s just another day at the office.
Before he arrived, Ukraine threw down the gauntlet, urging Mongolia to hand Putin over to the court in The Hague. Meanwhile, the European Union raised eyebrows, worrying that Mongolia might not take action on such a request. And in true Kremlin fashion, just last week, a spokesperson shrugged off these concerns. Isn’t it curious how some nations navigate these complex issues?
Technically, member countries of the ICC are required to detain anyone wanted by the court, but here’s the kicker: the ICC doesn’t have the muscle to enforce its warrants. So, what does that mean for international relations and accountability? It leaves a lot of unanswered questions, doesn’t it?