In a jest that intertwines humor with historical assertion, Mongolia’s former president, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, has taken to social media to share a historic map of the vast Mongol Empire, which at its zenith included large swathes of what is now Russia. This move seemingly mocks Russian President Vladimir Putin’s use of historical precedence to lay claim to Ukraine, amid his country’s controversial invasion of the neighboring state.
Elbegdorj, who led Mongolia between 2009 and 2017 and has been an advocate for democracy in the region, tweeted the map with the caption, “After Putin’s talk. I found Mongolian historic map. Don’t worry. We are a peaceful and free nation.” The map depicted the Mongol Empire, once the largest land empire in history, overshadowing the scale of both the Russian and Soviet empires.
The post came on the heels of Putin’s interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. In the interview, Putin outlined a version of Russian and European history to justify his claims over Ukraine. Historians, however, have criticized Putin’s narrative, suggesting that his interpretation does not hold up under scrutiny.
It is noteworthy that Putin’s rhetoric often invokes historical milestones to claim legitimacy over territories . This has been a consistent theme in his narrative, despite Ukraine being a recognized independent country. Elbegdorj’s tweet serves as a tongue-in-cheek reminder of the fluidity and complexity of historical borders, underscoring the irony in Putin’s argument by referencing a time when vast Russian territories were under Mongol rule.
The Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries, founded by Genghis Khan, spanned from Eastern Europe across Asia, encompassing regions that are part of contemporary Russia. The tweet illustrated how the Empire dwarfed the geographical boundaries of 15th century Russia, a subtle nudge at the fragility of using historical claims for modern geopolitical ambitions.
While Mongolia today is a significantly smaller country , it remains one of the largest nations in terms of land area. The Mongolian government has not officially supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Elbegdorj himself has been vocal in backing Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In a previous statement, Elbegdorj condemned Putin’s disdain for freedom and declared, “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.” He described Putin as a deep narcissist who “fears a free Ukraine” and is unsettled by the success of neighbors.
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