The whole community has been aware of Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2024 travel to Mongolia, particularly in the context of his 2023 arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Putin was found guilty of war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a result of the forced removal of Ukrainian children during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As a party to the Rome Statute, Mongolia is mandated by law to cooperate with the ICC, including executing arrest warrants. However, Mongolia has accepted Putin despite this obligation, demonstrating a noteworthy geopolitical position that defies international conventions and forces.

Putin's invitation is a reflection of Mongolia's geopolitical attempt to maintain equilibrium with China and Russia, its two extremely powerful neighbours. For security and economic stability, Mongolia, which is landlocked between these two heavyweights, needs strong diplomatic ties with both. Mongolia still relies significantly on Russia as an economic partner and energy supplier, so any action that could jeopardize that relationship—such as obeying the ICC arrest warrant—would likely have disastrous effects for the little nation. By placing its national interests ahead of international law, Mongolia is exhibiting the complex web of geopolitical ties in this region by inviting Putin.

Putin also views this trip as a symbolic move to demonstrate that Russia still has allies and partners throughout the world and that he is unaffected by the actions of the ICC, despite Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation. With his visit to Mongolia, he is making a clear statement that Moscow is still a major player in the region and that the ICC warrant has not prevented him from engaging in high-level diplomatic relations abroad. The statement highlights Russia's determination to oppose Western-led international institutions, like the International Criminal Court (ICC), which Moscow views as politically motivated and prejudiced.

This expedition has wider implications for the future of global order and international law. The ICC's inability to carry out its arrest warrant highlights the limitations of international justice in this instance, particularly when faced with strong regional support or influential nations. Mongolia's defiance of the warrant casts even more doubt on the ICC's efficacy and the challenges it has in holding world leaders responsible, particularly in cases when geopolitical concerns supersede the law. As the world keeps a careful eye on Putin's actions, the discussion over the ICC's purpose and jurisdiction is certain to intensify, raising concerns about the organization's viability in a world that is becoming more and more divided.