June 20, 2022
No. 152
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Jaushieh Joseph Wu held a videoconference on June 20 with Anatolii Fedoruk, Mayor of the Ukrainian city of Bucha. During the videoconference, Minister Wu announced a US$500,000 donation from the government of Taiwan to support reconstruction efforts in Bucha. This marks the fourth videoconference held by Minister Wu to announce donations to assist Ukraine, express Taiwan’s concern for the Ukrainian people, and show staunch support for Ukraine’s resistance against authoritarian aggression. The previous three meetings were with the Mayor of Kyiv on April 22, the Mayor of Kharkiv on May 31, and the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on June 10.
Minister Wu began the videoconference by stating that following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the government of Taiwan expressly rejected Russia’s disruption of the international order and aggression against a sovereign nation. He said that the government has publicly condemned Russia’s act of war and joined the international community in imposing economic sanctions against Russia. Conveying heartfelt sympathies to Ukrainians affected by the war, he noted that in response to the atrocities committed by Russian troops in the Bucha area, the government of Taiwan issued a press release on April 5. In it, Taiwan strongly condemned the killing of civilians—which violated international law and was unacceptable to the civilized world—and called for an immediate investigation by the international community. He added that President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te had both condemned Russia’s acts of violence via Twitter on April 7. So far, Taiwan has donated more than 580 tons of supplies to Ukraine and more than US$40 million to assist Ukrainian refugees and to support reconstruction efforts by cities, hospitals, and churches in Ukraine. Minister Wu also shared with Mayor Fedoruk that Taiwan feels a close affiliation with Ukraine, having long suffered rhetorical assault and military intimidation by China. He agreed with Ukraine that major powers should not bully others and arbitrarily invade smaller neighboring countries.
Mayor Fedoruk thanked the government of Taiwan for its support and timely assistance, noting that Russia’s unprovoked invasion has undermined Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and democracy. He said that the Ukrainian people cannot forgive the brutal crimes committed by Russian troops in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine. Urging people worldwide not to forget this war instigated by the Russian authoritarian government, he asserted that the Ukrainian people will staunchly defend their homeland and democracy. Mayor Fedoruk expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance to Ukraine at this time of emergency when Bucha has suffered severe devastation to its infrastructure and is in urgent need of international aid. Noting that a friend in need is a friend indeed, Mayor Fedoruk stressed that the government and people of Ukraine will always remember Taiwan’s unwavering support and heartfelt concern. He said that the Bucha city government would make full use of Taiwan’s donation and allocate it to the best possible ends. Before the videoconference ended, Minister Wu encouraged the people of Bucha and Ukraine with a declaration, in Ukrainian, that democracy would prevail. Minister Wu and Mayor Fedoruk extended mutual invitations to visit at an appropriate time after the war to enhance Taiwan-Ukraine exchanges. (E)