Mongolia rolls out red carpet for Putin despite war crimes accusations

A vibrant democracy situated between authoritarian giants Russia and China, Mongolia enjoys close cultural links to Moscow as well as a critical trading relationship with Beijing.
On the streets of Ulaanbaatar, Altanbayar Altankhuyag, a 26-year-old economist, told AFP it would have been “immoral and improper” to arrest Putin.
“China and Russia both are very important to us as neighbours,” he said.
Mongolia was under Moscow’s sway during the Soviet era but has sought to keep friendly relations with both the Kremlin and Beijing since the Soviet collapse in 1991.
It has not condemned Russia’s offensive in Ukraine and has abstained during votes on the conflict at the United Nations.
The Kremlin said last week it was not concerned that Putin would be arrested during the visit.
“Obviously there was no chance of arresting Putin,” Bayarlkhagva Munkhnaran, a political analyst and former adviser on Mongolia’s National Security Council, told AFP.
“In Ulaanbaatar’s view the current ICC warrant-related scandal is a passing matter compared to the need to maintain secure and predictable relations with the Kremlin,” he said.
Genghis Khan Square was decked out with huge Mongolian and Russian flags for Putin’s first visit to the country in five years. The two leaders stood near Mongolian soldiers in traditional costumes, some of them on horseback.
A small group of protesters had gathered there a day earlier, with demonstrators holding a sign demanding “Get war criminal Putin out of here”.
Tight security prevented another protest planned for Tuesday from getting near Putin.
Tsatsral Bat-Ochir of the NoWar movement said she and other activists had been held by police for trying to protest against Putin’s visit.