Ukrainian NGO official urges support for Taiwan

Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown the world that autocracies are willing to use force to change borders, a representative of a Ukrainian non-governmental organization (NGO) said in Taipei yesterday, calling on her country to help strengthen Taiwan.

Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine’s East Asian Office head Mariia Makarovych said at a Taipei forum that Taiwan was one of the first responders after Russia invaded her country in February 2022.

One of the first shipments of humanitarian aid that reached Ukraine was sent by Taiwan, Makarovych said, expressing thanks for the quick response.

Taiwan and Ukrainian patch flags are put on sale to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Taipei on Feb. 25, 2023.

Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters

“That’s an example that Taiwan actually believes in Ukraine, while many countries hesitated over whether we would be able to stand against the Russian army or not,” Makarovych said.

“So it’s important to talk not only about how we can continue to support Ukraine, but also how we can share experience, how we can exchange this experience with Ukraine of resistance and our defense,” she said, adding that it is also a relevant topic for Taiwan.

Russia’s war against Ukraine “actually shows a dangerous precedent that autocracies are willing to use force to change borders and to impose their control on other countries and societies,” Makarovych said.

“And that is why Ukraine should support Taiwan, and Ukraine should help Taiwan to be stronger,” she added.

Meanwhile, visiting German parliamentarian Roderich Kiesewetter said at the forum that the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war would have “direct consequences on all of our lives and also on the future of Taiwan.”

Russia is not only engaged in traditional warfare in Ukraine, but it has also launched a series of hybrid warfare tactics, including state terrorism and cognitive warfare, on countries that support Ukraine, he said.

Furthermore, Moscow has received support from North Korea, Iran and China, Kiesewetter added.

Taiwan knows what is at stake, he said, adding that “if Ukraine is falling or failing, China will have its next target.”

“Therefore, the international community should stand not only with Ukraine, but also with Taiwan,” Kiesewetter said.

Kiesewetter and Makarovych were attendees at the one-day forum in Taipei titled “War, Resilience and Ukraine’s Lessons for Democracies.”

It was organized by the German Institute Taipei and the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine, an independent, youth-led NGO that lists its mission as to promote liberal democratic values, protect human rights, improve Ukrainian legislation and unite a new generation of civically engaged youth.