Camilla Jessen
Mexico has denied Ukraine’s request to detain Putin.
On August 8, the Mexican government announced that it would not comply with Ukraine’s request to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of Mexico’s new head of state in October.
According to the Kyiv Independent, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador addressed the matter, stating, “We can’t do that,’ and adding, ‘It’s not up to us.”
Putin has been invited to the inauguration of President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, scheduled for October 1.
In response, the Ukrainian Embassy in Mexico called on the country to enforce an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2023.
The warrant accuses Putin of war crimes related to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following the invasion in early 2022.
While Russia is not a member of the ICC, Mexico is, which prompted Ukraine’s request.
However, Juan Ramon de la Fuente, who is set to become Sheinbaum’s foreign minister, explained that it is “standard protocol” to invite leaders of all countries with which Mexico maintains diplomatic relations.
Putin congratulated Sheinbaum on her electoral victory in June, emphasizing the historical ties between Russia and Mexico.
Sheinbaum, who will be Mexico’s first female president, won the general election on June 2 and will begin her six-year term in October.