Mexico Refuses to Arrest Putin, Despite Ukraine and EU Pressure

Mexico has refused to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he visits the country for the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum as the new head of state on October 1.

The Mexican government’s decision comes in response to calls from Ukraine and the European Union (EU) to detain Putin, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin for his alleged involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. However, Putin has not traveled to any ICC member states since then to avoid the risk of arrest.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that Mexico would not arrest Putin because it is not up to the country to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant.

“This is not something that we can do. It’s not up to us,” Obrador said during a government press conference.

Ukraine and the EU have urged Mexico to fulfill its obligations as a member of the ICC and cooperate in the investigation of Putin’s alleged crimes.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Mexico has called on Mexican authorities to arrest Putin if he visits the country, while the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has also said that the EU expects Mexico to cooperate with the ICC.

However, Mexico’s stance on Putin’s potential visit highlights the challenges in enforcing the ICC’s arrest warrant against high-level officials.

Putin is unlikely to face arrest in Mexico or any other country unless there is a change in the political landscape or a significant shift in international pressure.