Putin arrives in Kyrgyzstan for his first international trip since ICC arrest warrant
Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan
Vladimir Putin's arrival in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday marked his first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March.
The Russian President is wanted over allegations of deportation of Ukrainian children. However, Kyrgyzstan is not a member of the ICC, and it is not bound by the court's ruling to arrest him.
Putin in Kyrgyzstan
Putin's arrival in Kyrgyzstan was reported by Russian news agencies TASS, Interfax, and RIA Novosti early on Thursday.
During the visit, he is scheduled to meet with Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov and take partin a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Russian ally, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and other regional leaders will also participate in the summit.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
What is 'Condition Red' & why USS Abraham Lincoln's crew is running 24x7
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can Iran sink the USS Abraham Lincoln if it fires 500 Khyber ballistic missiles?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How can the USS Abraham Lincoln go more than 20 years without refueling?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How B-2 bomber pilots can eject themselves in an emergency
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell seeks 'clemency' from Trump: What is it? Can she walk free if it is granted?
)
Was Jeffrey Epstein really involved in cannibalism? Here's what DOJ files reveal
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why did the US Navy choose the F-35C when the F-35B is easier to take off from the USS Abraham Lincoln?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Epstein files released: DOJ reveals disturbing photo of Bill Clinton in pool with Ghislaine Maxwell & a mystery woman
)
WATCH | Russian-Georgian figure skater goes viral after performing to Dhurandhar song at 2026 Winter Olympics
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Kiswa on Jeffrey Epstein’s floor? New image shows sex offender standing on sacred Islamic cloth of Kaaba, sparks outrage
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT Releases this week (February 9-15, 2026): Kohrra to The Conjuring- Watch these 7 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Redacted Epstein Files show his youngest victim was just 9, names a 'senior foreign official'
However, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has decided to skip the summit.
Notably, Putin has been relatively absent from international travel since the launch of Russia's Ukraine offensive in February 2022.
This year, he has only travelled to Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. His last foreign visits to Belarus and Kyrgyzstan were in December of last year. However, as per AFP, Putin is planning future visits to North Korea and China.
ICC arrest warrant
Moscow has denounced the warrant as "illegal" and has equated the Russian President's potential arrest abroad to an act of war.
Despite that, Russia, in practice, has taken precautions to avoid Putin's arrest. This includes sending Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to represent the nation at a BRICS summit in ICC member South Africa in August.
Commenting on his absence from Johannesburg, Putin earlier this month said: "Why should I create some problems for our friends during an event?".
"If I come, a political show will start," he added.
The ICC's ruling and the Rome Statute — ratified by 123 nations requires member countries to adhere to ICC decisions, have closed the door to a large part of the globe to Putin, reports AFP.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
