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https://theconversation.com/putins-visit-to-mongolia-defies-icc-warrant-and-tests-neutral-nations-third-neighbor-diplomacy-237942>
"Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Sept. 2, 2024, the first time the
Russian president has visited an International Criminal Court (ICC) member
country since the body issued a warrant for his arrest in 2023. While
officially commemorating a Soviet-Mongolian military victory in World War II,
Putin’s visit will test the small central Asian country’s policy of neutrality
and the reach of international institutions.
Mongolia, a country of just 3.3 million people but with huge geographical
territory, has long navigated its foreign policy in the shadow of Russia and
China, with whom it has extensive historical and economic ties.
The country has attempted to bolster its independence from its more powerful
neighbors by developing cordial relations with so-called third neighbor
countries that include the United States, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
Through this approach, Mongolia has attempted to carve out a niche on the
international stage, presenting itself as a neutral diplomatic meeting ground.
Its annual Ulaanbaatar Dialogue, for example, is an opportunity for regional
countries and other invited nations, including from the U.S. and EU member
states, to discuss issues ranging from climate change to regional security and
critical minerals.
As scholars of Mongolia and China, we attended the last such dialogue in June
2024 and witnessed Mongolia’s diplomatic efforts firsthand. It is a strategy
that has worked for the country, but as events like Putin’s visit highlight, it
can be a tough balancing act."
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
