Mongolia is a country heavily dependent on Russian energy. In recent years, it has drifted ever closer to the Russian camp.
One of the target countries for those fleeing the Russian campaign is Russia’s neighbor in the Far East, Mongolia.
In addition to Finland, Norway and Armenia, among others, thousands of Russians have come to Mongolia since the president Vladimir Putin ordered a partial business suspension for Russia last month.
The newcomers have been welcomed, but the Russian war of aggression has brought Mongolia’s dependence on Russia into the spotlight.
The Mongolian government, among other things, abstained from the vote when the UN General Assembly earlier this month condemned Russia’s regional alliances in Ukraine. More than 30 other countries also left Russia uncondemned.
Some of the arrivals are related nations from the Far East
Many of those who came to Mongolia are ethnically from the Mongol-populated Republic of Buryatia from Russia. But there are also people from further afield in Russia.
An important border crossing point is Altanbulag, through which more than 6,200 Russians have entered since the end of September, according to the Mongolian Immigration Agency. In addition, hundreds have requested legal assistance to obtain a temporary residence permit.
Despite the fact that the Mongolian leadership has not condemned Russia’s war of aggression and the campaign ordered by Vladimir Putin, the newcomers have been treated favorably.
– Considering the current situation in the Russian Federation, Mongolia has decided to grant a temporary residence permit to those who apply for it, the agency responsible for immigration announced at the beginning of October.
Support from the people for Ukrainians suffering from the war
Although the Mongolian government has not condemned the war of aggression, there has been support from the citizens of Mongolia for the Ukrainians suffering from the war.
In the capital, Ulaanbaatar, there have been demonstrations opposing the war and demanding the Russian ambassador Iskander Azizov to leave the country. Azizov has been accused of rudely stalling Russian energy projects and even meddling in Mongolia’s internal politics.
Mongolia is almost completely dependent on Russian oil and gas. Up to 90 percent of crude oil is imported from Russia. About a third of Mongolia’s imports come from Russia.
A balancing act between Russia and China
Mongolia has tried to balance between its two large and authoritarian neighbors, Russia and China.
President of Mongolia Ukhnaag to Khürelsükh met both Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chinese President Xi Jinping in September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs the announcement states (you will switch to another service) the cooperation of the three countries, among other things, in combating the pandemic.
Investigator Zhar Zardykhan analyze In the Global Voices publication (you will switch to another service) the relationship between the countries. He writes that although Mongolia has tried to benefit from the competition between China and Russia, in practice it has drifted into greater and greater dependence on Russia, which has become increasingly hostile to the West.
Mongolia’s ex-president calls for Russia to be condemned
Not everyone in Mongolian political circles is happy with the current situation. Gravel voices are heard from the political opposition.
Especially the former president representing the Democratic Party Tsakhia Elbegdorj has taken a more critical line towards Russia than the current government.
Elbegdorj demands Russia to end the war. In addition, he accuses Putin of using ethnic Mongolians as “cannon fodder” in Ukraine.
The former president diligently shares material supporting Ukraine on Twitter, among other things. This week, he urged relatives fleeing war to come to Mongolia.
The number of arrivals is small compared to many countries
The numbers of people fleeing to Mongolia are small compared to some other Central Asian countries. More than 20,000 Russian citizens have come to Kyrgyzstan and up to 200,000 to Kazakhstan, estimates The Diplomat. (you switch to another service)
According to some Russian sources, at least 700,000 people had fled Russia by the beginning of October. It is difficult to give an exact figure.
Although there are only thousands of people who come to Mongolia, the numbers are relatively large for the country. According to newspaper reports, hotels and guesthouses in the capital Ulaanbaatar are full, and not everyone has been able to find places.
– I want to help them, but it’s difficult. Now they are looking for work in construction or agriculture, says the innkeeper Suren Bat-Tur For the Euractiv publication. (you switch to another service)
The story is also sourced from:
East Asia Forum: Mongolia walks a tightrope on Ukraine (you go to another service)