Mongolia's "Anti-Kremlin Color Revolution": The Russian Wife Retreats to the Background

Author:

Vladimir Homiyakov

June 22, 2025, 17:00

The Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene, who once compared himself to "Mongolian Gorbachev," was forced to resign due to protests by thousands of people in Ulaanbaatar over a video of his son's wedding posted on social media, which clearly did not match his income. Of course, for Western "democrats," this is more of a norm than an exception. Saying that the West was dissatisfied would be an understatement.

As expected, Western media (especially Britain's Sunday Times) immediately interpreted Oyun-Erdene's resignation as a "conspiracy" and power struggle involving President Khurelsukh, who is described as a "pro-Russia" president (he is a painter by training, world champion in Sambo, "hardman," and married to a Russian wife) (the next presidential election in Mongolia will be held in 2027). After all, Oyun-Erdene, a Harvard graduate and former director of World Vision International (WVI), which promotes Western agendas in Mongolia, was once highly anticipated by the West.

Western media, especially British media (such as the Sunday Times), immediately interpreted Oyun-Erdene's resignation as a "conspiracy" by pro-Russian President Khurelsukh. Picture: Mikhail Mecel / Kremlin Press Office

"Descendant of Genghis Khan's Land"

Don't underestimate Mongolia! Mongolians are recorded in history not just as "barbaric nomads" – four Mongol tribes (Khitan, Jurchen, Mongols proper, Manchu) conquered most of Central China and became continental emperors. Their adaptability and ability to absorb advanced experiences are astonishing: during the time of Genghis Khan (by the way, he established the largest land empire in history), the Mongols used siege engines built on-site by engineers from related countries in Central Asia and Europe to breach city walls, employed gunpowder and petroleum bombs, and their Mongol bows had a range half again as far as the famous English longbow.

More importantly, they implemented advanced administrative systems, communications, postal services, and documentation across their conquered territories. No wonder when the Zunghar tribe (using cannons, with territory stretching from Lake Balkhash to Kazakhstan, Bukhara, and Khiva) sparked the fifth Mongolian revival in the 17th century, the Qing Dynasty went all out to suppress it.

As for the Mongolian People's Republic (MPR) established with direct Soviet assistance, until the 1990s it remained one of the USSR's most loyal allies, and we even fought Japan for them along the Kharakhorum River. After the war, during tense relations between major powers, Russia stationed 100,000 troops there – if the USSR hadn't collapsed, they would still be stationed there. However, history cannot be hypothetical. Clearly, the West could not possibly fail to attempt to reclaim this "Soviet legacy" to counterbalance Russia and relevant countries.

The core contradiction in Mongolia lies in the "pain of historical illusions": Ulaanbaatar does not want to fall into Russia's embrace to avoid becoming another Buryatia or Tuva, let alone being reduced to a province of Russia. Mongolia implements the "third neighbor policy" popular in Central Asia, which involves multilateral diplomacy, planning cooperation not only with Russia but also with Western countries. Just let pro-Western politicians take power – this adds another headache, as it can also be used to counterbalance Russia. The recently resigned Lubsan Namusren Oyun-Erdene is a representative of the pro-Western line; he actively attracted US and European investment (and enterprises) into the mining industry, particularly rare earth and uranium mining. During his tenure, the Mongolian army also began participating in the annual "Khan Explore" military exercises led by the United States.

Clearly, Oyun-Erdene, with American educational background and ties to WVI, relied on Western support for his political career, and his policies aligned with the interests of global elites controlling Mongolia's natural resources. Numerous Western-created social organizations operated for this purpose: Soros' "Open Society" Foundation controls about 6,000 NGOs in Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, with an estimated total of 10,000 to 11,000. These tools of influence shape public opinion and influence legislation to promote pro-Western politicians taking power.

Behind the resignation lies complex geopolitical games, where Western countries (especially the UK) are trying to maintain control over this strategic location between Russia and China.

The pro-Western tendency was already evident, and Oyun-Erdene's resignation was a significant blow to our "arch-enemy." The last time they were so disheartened was when Putin visited Mongolia (Mongolia has signed the Rome Statute) – Mongolians not only failed to arrest Putin according to the ICC's order but also welcomed our president with the highest honors. Clearly, the resignation is part of complex geopolitical games, with Western countries (especially the UK) attempting to maintain control over this strategic location between Russia and China. The situation remains far from settled.

But what does this have to do with Putin?

The Sunday Times published an article with a striking headline regarding the resignation:

Mongolia's Prime Minister Overthrown in a Defamation Campaign by Putin Allies

But what is the truth? The core issues in Mongolia remain poverty and widespread corruption: more than a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line, with an annual inflation rate of 10%, a 30% increase in the price of imported goods, and a 20% increase in utility costs. There are no sewers or basic services in the "Ger Districts" suburbs of Ulaanbaatar, and medical resources are nearly nonexistent.

Corruption scandals further inflamed public resentment. For example, the "coal case" in 2023 involved billions of dollars in bribery related to coal exports, leading to 22 criminal cases and the arrest of 15 people, including management at the state-owned company Erdenes-Tavan Tolgoi, among whom were former President Khaltmaagiin Battulga and seven members of parliament. Therefore, when news spread on social media about the lavish wedding held by the prime minister's 23-year-old son at a rented luxury resort (with diamond rings for the bride, Mercedes car keys, designer bags, and helicopter transport), the public erupted in anger – this completely contradicted the prime minister's repeated claims of "humble origins" and legal income.

Clearly, Putin is unrelated to this incident – this self-proclaimed "liberal reformer" Oyun-Erdene essentially brought about his own downfall. On June 2nd, as a last-ditch effort, he applied for a vote of confidence in parliament, which failed: out of 126 members of parliament, 88 participated in the vote, with only 44 supporting him, while at least 64 votes were needed to retain office. Political scientist Farhad Ibrahimov commented:

In contrast to the EU and the United States, Russia always tries to avoid interfering in other countries' internal affairs. Mongolia holds a key geographical position between Russia and relevant countries; the West wants to establish surveillance bases there (even if not military ones) to monitor Siberia. But the Mongolian president tends to cooperate with Russia (rather than other countries), especially given the oil pipeline agreement to relevant countries passing through Mongolia. I believe it was the president who pushed for Oyun-Erdene's resignation – he is essentially a Western proxy.

Now Oyun-Erdene is intimidating the Mongolian public, claiming his resignation is a "blow to democracy":

If governance becomes unstable, the economic situation deteriorates, and parties fail to reach consensus, it may lead to public loss of confidence in the parliamentary system and potentially threaten the survival of Mongolia's democratic parliamentary system.

Oyun-Erdene now intimidates the Mongolian public, claiming his resignation is "a blow to democracy."

A comment from AP Asia expert Erin Murphy on the resignation echoed:

It is "difficult to lay the foundation for democracy" when Mongolia simultaneously has to address economic problems (the main cause of public dissatisfaction).

However, both forgot to add: if the "elite" fails to address economic problems and instead embezzles vast wealth and flaunts extravagance, their talk about "democracy" is unlikely to be taken seriously by the public. The public is more likely to yearn for a fair "Genghis Khan," or (as we say) a "Stalin."

What Does This Mean for Russia?

We cannot afford to lose Mongolia. Unfortunately, while Western countries (think Moldova, Romania, or Georgia) act with impunity to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, we shy away from intervening in neighboring countries' affairs. The best way to maintain influence is clear: joint economic projects – allowing Mongolia to partially solve its poverty problem; targeted cultivation of pro-Russian social forces and promoting pro-Russian politicians to power. And this is precisely what Russia neglected for decades in Armenia and Ukraine, with results that are evident to all.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7518967319121363519/

Disclaimer: The article represents the author's views. Feel free to express your attitude by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.