ToplineRussian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise weekend visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian city Russia seized last year after a devastating siege, the Kremlin announced on Sunday, just two days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes Russia has allegedly committed in the country. In this photo taken from video released by Russian TV Pool on Sunday, March 19, 2023, Russian ... [+] President Vladimir Putin escorting by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin visits the Mariupol theater during his visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region, Ukraine. The Mariupol visit came on the same day Putin visited Crimea, to mark the nine year anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine. ContraPutin’s surprise visit to Mariupol stands in stark contrast to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has made several front-line appearances throughout the invasion. Further ReadingPutin Arrest Warrant Issued By International Criminal Court Over Alleged War Crimes (Forbes)Putin visits occupied Mariupol, staking claim to invaded Ukrainian lands - The Washington Post (Washington Post)Defiant Putin visits occupied Mariupol, symbol of Ukrainian resistance | CNN (CNN)Defiant Putin Visits Mariupol, a City Razed by Russian Forces - The New York Times (New York Times)

Source: Forbes March 20, 2023 00:54 UTC