Vladimir Putin’s Mongolia visit should, in theory, see him face ICC arrest – but reality will be different
Just imagine the scene next week. Vladimir Putin steps off his presidential plane after touching down in Mongolia and, within seconds, he’s in handcuffs.
It would be an astonishing sight – the leader of one of the UN Security Council’s permanent members placed under arrest for suspected war crimes.
In fact, it would be unprecedented. But it’s also very unlikely.
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Yes, it is what should happen in theory. All members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are compelled to detain suspects for whom an arrest warrant has been issued, should they set foot on their soil. Mongolia is no exception.
But in reality, the country will not want to risk the ire of its powerful neighbour, on whom it has huge economic dependence.
The fallout with Moscow would likely be far worse, and more harmful to Mongolia, than any consequences from upsetting the Hague.
Vladimir Putin meets Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Kazakhstan earlier this summer. Pic: Reuters
There would be anger from activists and political condemnation if Mongolia doesn’t follow its obligations, but the ICC doesn’t have the power to enforce them.
What’s more, it wouldn’t be the first time a court member has ignored the rules.
In 2015, South Africa chose not to detain the then Sudanese President, Omar al Bashir, when he visited the country, despite an active arrest warrant.
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The skyline of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Pic: AP
South Africa took a different approach last year, however, when it hosted a BRICS summit, which Vladimir Putin normally attends.
Not wanting to be in the same position again, South Africa managed to persuade him to stay at home and join via video link instead.
But Mongolia doesn’t have that clout with the Kremlin, which said it had “no worries” about the trip.
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Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, added they have a “wonderful dialogue” with their neighbour.
It’s safe to assume that “dialogue” will have included assurances from Mongolia that Russia’s president won’t end up in chains.
And for Vladimir Putin, that would represent a big win in the diplomatic war being waged by Russia alongside its conflict in Ukraine.
It’s a way to needle the West, and undermine the rules-based international order which he so often rails against.
“Super high-IQ revolutionaries” who are willing to work 80+ hours a week are being urged to join Elon Musk’s new cost-cutting department in Donald Trump’s incoming US government.
The X and Tesla owner will co-lead the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
And in a post on X, the official DOGE account put out a call to arms for people to sign up and help “dismantle government bureaucracy”.
The post said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE.
“We don’t need more part-time idea generators.
“We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.
“If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”
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Elon Musk speaking at an event held at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Pic: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
In a reply to an interested party, Mr Musk suggested the lucky applicants would be working for free.
“Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lost of enemies & compensation is zero,” the world’s richest man wrote.
“What a great deal!”
When announcing the new department, President-elect Donald Trump said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.
Mr Musk has previously made clear his desire to see cuts to “government waste” and in a post on his X platform suggested he could axe as many as three-quarters of the more than 400 federal departments in the US, writing: “99 is enough.”
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
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The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
Read more from Sky News:
Mass displacement in Gaza – people unsure where to go
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Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
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