By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — In a bold response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s historical justifications for the invasion of Ukraine, Mongolia’s former president, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, took to social media to share a map highlighting the vast extent of the Mongol Empire. The move comes after Putin has relied on historical narratives to argue that Ukraine is rightfully part of Russia.
Elbegdorj, who served as Mongolia’s president from 2009 to 2017 and also held the position of prime minister, mocked Putin’s historical assertions by presenting maps showcasing the once-mighty Mongol Empire. The maps illustrated how the Mongol Empire, which was the largest in the world, once controlled substantial parts of what is now Russia.
“After Putin’s talk, I found Mongolian historic maps. Don’t worry. We are a peaceful and free nation,” Elbegdorj wrote on X, alongside the shared maps that emphasized the historical dimensions of the Mongol Empire.
https://twitter.com/elbegdorj/status/1756818696700657935
The former Mongolian president also drew attention to the size of Russia in the 15th century, subtly challenging Putin’s reliance on historical borders to legitimize the invasion of Ukraine. Putin has frequently claimed that Ukraine has deep historical ties to Russia, a notion that has been widely disputed by historians.
In his recent interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Putin outlined a historical narrative spanning centuries to justify Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, historians have criticized the accuracy of many aspects of Putin’s historical account.
The Mongol Empire, at its height, covered a vast territory, including parts of modern-day China, Russia, and Ukraine. Mongolia, nestled between China and Russia, is now a smaller nation but remains one of the largest countries globally in terms of overall landmass.
While Mongolia’s government has not explicitly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has not expressed support either. Elbegdorj, on the other hand, has been vocal in his backing of Ukraine. In February 2023, he emphasized the importance of democracies supporting Ukraine, stating, “The world’s democracies must rally with even greater resolve to declare that freedom is non-negotiable, and to give Ukraine the weapons it needs to win.”
Elbegdorj also shared insights into Putin’s mindset, describing him as someone who “does not tolerate freedom” and expressing concern over Putin’s aversion to a free Ukraine, which he views as a threat to his regime.
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue, Elbegdorj’s playful yet pointed historical reminder adds a unique perspective to the ongoing international discourse surrounding the conflict.