Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu unveiled a US$8 million donation on behalf of the people of Taiwan and vowed the country would continue to stand with Ukraine during a video call April 22 to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
A total of US$5 million is to be distributed between six medical facilities in Ukraine with the remainder allocated to the capital Kyiv, Wu said. The gesture underscores the deep-seated care and concern of the people for those impacted by the war, he added.
According to Wu, Taiwan was quick to support Ukraine with donations of cash, essential items and medical supplies following Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion in late February.
More than US$33 million was raised in countrywide campaign coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wu said, adding that 27 tons of medical supplies provided by the government were shipped Feb. 28, and 650 tons of essential items donated by the public were dispatched beginning March 17 in batches.
Distribution of the shipments was arranged with the assistance of EU member states like Poland and Slovakia, Wu said, citing cooperation of the Polish government’s Strategic Reserves Agency.
Wu said Taiwan, also a front-line state resisting authoritarian expansionism, truly understands the suffering of the people of Ukraine. The seriousness of the threat posed by the war to international rules-based order and the democratic world must not be underestimated, he added.
Klitschko, in response, thanked Wu for the support and said Taiwan’s kindness will never be forgotten. The people of Ukraine are fighting to defend the values of freedom and democracy for the entire world and would rather die in battle than surrender, he added.
In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Wu said: “Called @Vitaliy_Klychko to convey support from the people of #Taiwan for #Ukraine. The fighting spirit of the @Kyiv mayor is admirable. Champ, we'll continue to stand with you & your people. Freedom will prevail! JW” (DL-E)
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