03:54Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of 'mutually beneficial cooperation' with Mongolia, illustrating this sentiment through a Mongolian proverb: 'It’s good to have a new robe, but it’s even better to have an old friend', speaking at a welcome reception in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday.
"We appreciate that Mongolia is also pursuing a course of mutually beneficial co-operation with us. <...> As the Mongolians say - it’s good to have a new robe but better to have an old friend. I am convinced that relying on the time-tested strong friendship, we will definitely set the most ambitious tasks," he said.
The leader also congratulated Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on the 85th anniversary of the joint forces’ victory over Japanese troops on the Khalkhin Gol River, stressing that Mongolia had provided 'tangible support' in combating Nazism during World War II.
"Of course, we remember the tangible support from the Mongolian people during World War II, during the Great Patriotic War. Mongolia helped the front by supplying food, warm clothes, and raising funds for the production of tanks and airplanes. <...> I would like to congratulate once again from the bottom of my heart Mr President and all present citizens of Mongolia and Russia on the 85th anniversary of the glorious victory in the battle on the Khalkhin Gol River," Putin said.
Earlier in the day, the Russian president held talks with his counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Chairman of the country's Great State Khural Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene.
Putin arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Monday at the invitation of the Mongolian president, to take part in events marking the 85th anniversary of the joint forces' victory over Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River.
Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court, which has a warrant out for Putin's arrest, related to alleged 'war crimes' related to the deportation of children during the Ukraine conflict.
Ahead of the visit the ICC said that all members had an 'obligation' to detain those sought by it, while the EU and Ukraine also called for the country to make an arrest.
However, there is no legal enforcement procedure. The Kremlin has said it does not recognise the warrant, while on Monday Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov told reporters "we don't have a problem on the agenda - with Mongolia specifically". Mongolia has not commented.
'As the Mongolians say - it's good to have a new robe but better to have an old friend' - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of 'mutually beneficial cooperation' with Mongolia, illustrating this sentiment through a Mongolian proverb: 'It’s good to have a new robe, but it’s even better to have an old friend', speaking at a welcome reception in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday.
"We appreciate that Mongolia is also pursuing a course of mutually beneficial co-operation with us. <...> As the Mongolians say - it’s good to have a new robe but better to have an old friend. I am convinced that relying on the time-tested strong friendship, we will definitely set the most ambitious tasks," he said.
The leader also congratulated Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on the 85th anniversary of the joint forces’ victory over Japanese troops on the Khalkhin Gol River, stressing that Mongolia had provided 'tangible support' in combating Nazism during World War II.
"Of course, we remember the tangible support from the Mongolian people during World War II, during the Great Patriotic War. Mongolia helped the front by supplying food, warm clothes, and raising funds for the production of tanks and airplanes. <...> I would like to congratulate once again from the bottom of my heart Mr President and all present citizens of Mongolia and Russia on the 85th anniversary of the glorious victory in the battle on the Khalkhin Gol River," Putin said.
Earlier in the day, the Russian president held talks with his counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Chairman of the country's Great State Khural Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene.
Putin arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Monday at the invitation of the Mongolian president, to take part in events marking the 85th anniversary of the joint forces' victory over Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River.
Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court, which has a warrant out for Putin's arrest, related to alleged 'war crimes' related to the deportation of children during the Ukraine conflict.
Ahead of the visit the ICC said that all members had an 'obligation' to detain those sought by it, while the EU and Ukraine also called for the country to make an arrest.
However, there is no legal enforcement procedure. The Kremlin has said it does not recognise the warrant, while on Monday Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov told reporters "we don't have a problem on the agenda - with Mongolia specifically". Mongolia has not commented.
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of 'mutually beneficial cooperation' with Mongolia, illustrating this sentiment through a Mongolian proverb: 'It’s good to have a new robe, but it’s even better to have an old friend', speaking at a welcome reception in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday.
"We appreciate that Mongolia is also pursuing a course of mutually beneficial co-operation with us. <...> As the Mongolians say - it’s good to have a new robe but better to have an old friend. I am convinced that relying on the time-tested strong friendship, we will definitely set the most ambitious tasks," he said.
The leader also congratulated Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on the 85th anniversary of the joint forces’ victory over Japanese troops on the Khalkhin Gol River, stressing that Mongolia had provided 'tangible support' in combating Nazism during World War II.
"Of course, we remember the tangible support from the Mongolian people during World War II, during the Great Patriotic War. Mongolia helped the front by supplying food, warm clothes, and raising funds for the production of tanks and airplanes. <...> I would like to congratulate once again from the bottom of my heart Mr President and all present citizens of Mongolia and Russia on the 85th anniversary of the glorious victory in the battle on the Khalkhin Gol River," Putin said.
Earlier in the day, the Russian president held talks with his counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Chairman of the country's Great State Khural Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene.
Putin arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Monday at the invitation of the Mongolian president, to take part in events marking the 85th anniversary of the joint forces' victory over Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River.
Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court, which has a warrant out for Putin's arrest, related to alleged 'war crimes' related to the deportation of children during the Ukraine conflict.
Ahead of the visit the ICC said that all members had an 'obligation' to detain those sought by it, while the EU and Ukraine also called for the country to make an arrest.
However, there is no legal enforcement procedure. The Kremlin has said it does not recognise the warrant, while on Monday Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov told reporters "we don't have a problem on the agenda - with Mongolia specifically". Mongolia has not commented.