Ukrainian officials expressed outrage over the Russian leader’s visit, warning they would seek to “ensure that this has consequences” for Mongolia.
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President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was warmly received by the leader of Mongolia on Tuesday in his first state visit to a member nation of the International Criminal Court since it issued a warrant for his arrest last year.
Instead of arresting Mr. Putin, as the I.C.C., Ukraine, and human rights groups have urged, Mongolia, which is highly dependent on Russia for its energy needs, gave the Russian leader a red-carpet welcome in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Mr. Putin was greeted by an honor guard, some on horseback, whose uniforms were inspired by the 13th-century Mongol ruler Genghis Khan.
Following the ceremonial welcome, Mr. Putin and President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh of Mongolia held talks in a traditional yurt in Ulaanbaatar’s State Palace.
“Relations between the Russian Federation and Mongolia are developing in all directions,” Mr. Putin said during the public portion of the meeting, according to RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency.
Mr. Khurelsukh expressed appreciation to Mr. Putin for his visit, the first in five years.
“It is gratifying to note that relations between our countries and peoples are traditionally friendly and have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” he continued.
Mongolia, which relies on Russia for 95 percent of its petroleum products, has refrained from condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine and has abstained during United Nations votes concerning the conflict. Mongolia was one of the top destinations for Russians fleeing the country in 2022 after the war began and the Kremlin announced a mobilization campaign.
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