Follow the latest news on the war in Ukraine live
September 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The US State Department has said that while it understands Mongolia’s geopolitical situation, it does not believe it can serve as a “platform” for Russian President Vladimir Putin amid calls for him to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) during his official visit to Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday.
“We do not believe that other countries should provide Putin with a platform to promote his war of aggression against Ukraine. We hope that Mongolia will abide by its obligations and continue to support the principles of the UN Charter,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
The spokesman stressed that although Mongolia, “a much smaller country located between two large neighbours” – Russia and China – must comply with its international obligations and in its interactions with Moscow “clearly emphasise its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”.
The European Union has also criticised Mongolia’s inaction and regrets that it “has not complied with its obligations under the Rome Statute” to execute this arrest warrant issued in March 2023 for alleged war crimes in connection with the forced displacement of Ukrainian minors.
Although this is Putin’s first visit to Mongolia since 2019, it has taken on special significance mainly because the Russian president has not visited an ICC member state since the arrest warrant has been in force.
Add Comment