Kremlin Announces Putin’s State Visit to Mongolia

MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin announced on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived for a state visit in Mongolia, a country that lies on the route of a planned new gas pipeline connecting Russia and China.

Gas Pipeline Plans

Russia has been negotiating for years about building this pipeline, expected to transport 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually from its Yamal region to China via Mongolia. The project, named Power of Siberia 2, is part of Russia’s efforts to make up for lost gas sales in Europe since the onset of the Ukraine war. This project serves as a successor to an existing pipeline of the same name, aimed to reach a capacity of 38 bcm per year by 2025.

Preparatory Work and Talks

The new pipeline venture has faced delays over key issues, particularly concerning gas pricing. However, Putin indicated prior to his visit that essential preparatory work, including feasibility studies and engineering assessments, are on track. He is scheduled to hold discussions with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Tuesday.

Legal Controversy

Ukraine has urged Mongolia to arrest Putin based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant issued last year, accusing him of war crimes involving the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, asserting that it has no concerns regarding Putin’s visit.

The warrant mandates that the 124 member states of the court, including Mongolia, must arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he enters their territory. When asked about discussions with Mongolian authorities concerning the ICC warrant, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that “all aspects of the visit have been thoroughly discussed.”