“A sensitive issue": Taiwan explains why it does not participate in military aid to Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
Taiwan explained that military assistance to Ukraine is a “sensitive issue” because of its relations with China. The country provides humanitarian aid through neighboring states and has joined Western sanctions against russia.
Taiwan has provided millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees and joined the sanctions against Russia imposed by the West. Reuters reports with reference to Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu, UNN reports.
Francois Wu noted that Taiwan is still helping Ukraine through neighboring countries and added that military aid is a very sensitive topic, so it is not being discussed at the moment.
Last week, Taiwan's defense minister said that the decision to transfer decommissioned HAWK anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine depends on the United States. At the same time, former Pentagon official Tony Hu previously reported that Taiwan has already transferred its surplus batteries of HAWK anti-aircraft missile systems to the Ukrainian air force.
Taiwan's relations with Ukraine
Taiwanese officials have spoken with some Ukrainian mayors, but there have been no official contacts between the two governments.
During a trip to Berlin, a Taiwanese representative said that Taiwan wants to make as many friends in the world as possible. He explained that Ukraine is very cautious in its relations with Taiwan, because China, which supports Russia in the war, could put more pressure on Ukraine. Last year, China proposed a 12-point plan to end the war in Ukraine, but it was very general and lacked specifics. China also did not participate in the peace conference in Switzerland.
In Europe, Taiwan has official relations only with the Vatican, but many countries, including Russia, have unofficial embassies. No such office has been opened in Ukraine yet, and there is no Ukrainian mission in Taiwan.
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China often criticizes any cooperation between Taiwan and other countries. For example, in 2021, China was outraged when Lithuania allowed a Taiwanese office to open in its capital, Vilnius. Wu added that Taiwan wants to strengthen ties with Ukraine, but the opening of a representative office is still just a plan for the future.
