August 17, 2023
No. 272
To support the people of Ukraine as they suffer air strikes and the turmoil of war, Ambassador Sharon S. N. Wu, Representative of the Taipei Representative Office (TRO) in Poland, on August 16 signed an agreement on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk of Bucha to assist in the Ukrainian city’s reconstruction. Taiwan is donating US$600,000 toward the construction of air raid shelters and the reconstruction of sports schools for children in Bucha. Mayor Fedoruk made a special trip to Warsaw for the signing ceremony. The event was witnessed by Ukrainian refugees from Bucha now living in Warsaw who had been invited by the TRO in Poland.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has continued to launch air strikes against Ukraine, greatly affecting Ukrainian people’s safety and mental health. The government of Taiwan is helping Bucha build much-needed air raid shelters and repair children’s sports schools that have been destroyed in air raids so as to provide learning and sporting venues for children and teenagers.
In her remarks at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Wu stated that the initiative would help alleviate some of the pressure faced by Bucha residents brought about by the Russian invasion. She said that, being similarly threatened by a totalitarian regime, the people of Taiwan felt a close affinity with Ukrainian friends. Ambassador Wu added that Russia’s invasion violated the basic principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes enshrined in the United Nations Charter and that Taiwan would continue to work with other democratic nations to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Mayor Fedoruk thanked the government of Taiwan for its support and assistance and noted that despite being thousands of miles apart, Taiwan and Ukraine were united by a firm commitment to democracy and freedom. He added that during times of adversity, solidarity is manifested not just through words, but also through deeds, as it had been by Taiwan. He said that Taiwan’s assistance was aimed at protecting the lives of Bucha residents and giving children more avenues for development, and added that the outcome of this cooperation endeavor would represent Ukraine’s resilience and persistence and Taiwan’s generous support.
In April 2022, Taiwan assisted Bucha in rebuilding 11 air raid shelters, a kindergarten, and nine residential buildings, benefiting more than 1,000 households. Taiwan shares with Ukraine the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights and it will stand steadfastly together with the people of Ukraine and support Ukraine’s reconstruction. (E)