Russia’s despotic leader Vladimir Putin is reportedly heading to Mongolia on September 3. The visit follows Mongolia’s recent decision to omit the gas pipeline Power of Siberia-2 – which should link Russia and China – from its long-term strategic development plan though a part of it is supposed to lie through Mongolian steppes.

This decision almost killed the project, which the Kremlin is desperate to implement in order to earn more cash for its war in Ukraine but failed to coordinate with the government in Ulaanbaatar, which thus probably felt neglected.

More to read:
What’s new in Putin’s palace after repairs: a throne, chapel, cryo-sauna and anus massage tub

So, Putin – like Moscow tsars during the 13th-14th century Mongol invasions – will personally go to Ulaanbaatar to pay respects and to talk about imminent Russian concessions to the neighbor in exchange for Mongol approval. The official theme of the visit is “energy cooperation” between the two countries.

While it is understandable that Mongolia pursues its own economic gains, yet the country has signed and ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (in 2000 and, respectively, in 2002). This means its government is obliged to arrest and to extradite suspected criminals to the Hague-based ICC.

And Vladimir Putin is exactly the person falling under this profile. He is wanted to answer war crimes charges, particularly the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children and unlawful transfer of Ukrainian population from occupied territories.

Will Mongolia arrest and then defer the Russian leader to international prosecutors?