Mongolia obliged to arrest Putin if he visits, International Criminal Court says

“We have an excellent rapport with our partners from Mongolia,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

“Of course, all aspects of the President’s visit have been carefully prepared.”

Dr Fadi el-Abdallah, a spokesperson for the ICC, told the BBC on Friday that the court relies on its States Parties – including Mongolia – to “execute its decisions”.

He said Mongolia, like other ICC signatories, has the “obligation to cooperate”. This includes complying with arrest warrants such as the one the court issued for Mr Putin’s arrest in 2023.

The court alleged the Russian president is responsible for war crimes, focusing on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. It has also issued a warrant for the arrest of Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the same crimes.

It said the crimes were committed in Ukraine from 24 February 2022 – when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Moscow has previously denied the allegations and labelled the warrants as “outrageous”.

Dr Abdallah said ICC judges will look into cases of “non-cooperation” by its signatories and inform the Assembly of States Parties, which may “take any measure it deems appropriate”.

The ICC has no powers to arrest suspects, and can only exercise jurisdiction within its member countries.