Mongolian ex-president trolls Putin: Does Russia actually belong to Mongolia? Man shoots three people in Athens

Less than a week has passed since pro-Trump TV host Tucker Carlson’s memorable interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was Putin’s first interview with an American since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Putin used the two-hour conversation to deliver long monologues about Russia’s history and assert his alleged claim to Ukraine’s territory. His ‘mania for history’ and his emphasis on areas that once belonged to Russia have a long tradition.

Reactions to the interview on social media followed quickly. On Monday, former Mongolian President Tsachiagiin Elbegdorj also spoke out – summarizing the absurdity of Putin’s historical logic in a post on X.

Elbegdorj posted an old map of Mongolia at X and wrote:

He is referring to the Mongol Empire, which existed from 1206 to 1368 and at its height was the largest contiguous territory and the second largest empire in history (only the British Empire was even larger). The Russian Empire comes in third “first”. The Mongol nomadic warriors under Genghis Khan conquered large parts of Eurasia using what were then modern war tactics.

The point behind Elbegdorj’s rant is clear: if Mongolia were to argue like Putin, Russia would be the same too. Because this would then be part of the Mongolian Empire.

And it wouldn’t be X if Elbegdorj’s response hadn’t already been turned into a meme itself.

Some users take the ‘game of historical claims’ even further:

What does Putin say about being ‘roasted’ by the former Mongolian president? Maybe we’ll find out in his next interview. Or not. (haha)