The Ukrainian embassy in Mexico has formally requested that the Mexican government arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the upcoming inauguration of president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum.
The embassy issued this appeal on August 7.
According to the Kyiv Independent, the Ukrainian embassy has labeled Putin a war criminal and urged Mexico to honor an international arrest warrant.
International Arrest Warrant
The request stems from a March 2023 arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Putin.
The warrant accuses the Russian leader of war crimes, particularly for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
While Russia is not a member of the ICC, Mexico is, meaning it is obligated to comply with the court’s orders.
"We trust that the Mexican government will comply with the international arrest warrant and hand over the aforementioned (Putin) to the United Nations judicial body in The Hague," the Ukrainian embassy told the Kyiv Independent.
The embassy also expressed gratitude to Mexico for inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the inauguration ceremony scheduled for October 1.
Diplomatic Tensions
Juan Ramon de la Fuente, who is expected to serve as Sheinbaum's foreign minister, explained that it is customary for Mexico to invite leaders from all countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including both Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the ICC warrant and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Mexico and Russia have been strengthening their diplomatic ties.
Following Sheinbaum's victory in the June general election, Putin personally congratulated her with refences to Mexico as Russia's "historically friendly partner" in Latin America.
Claudia Sheinbaum, who is set to become Mexico's first female president, won a historic victory in the general election on June 2.
Her six-year term will begin in October.
The inauguration is expected to attract global attention, particularly given the invitations extended to both Putin and Zelensky.
