.png)
Support for Ukraine has come from far and wide. Yet while some countries are able to back up their support with military aid or by opening their borders to Ukrainian refugees, others are unable to follow suit because of politics or simply because of their distance to Ukraine. One such nation is the Republic of China, more commonly referred to as Taiwan, which despite not being officially recognised as a country by Ukraine, has delivered humanitarian aid, funds and even small drones to Ukraine. Much of this support has come from private citizens and companies – a clear sign of sympathy for the
Ukrainian people and an acknowledgment of the parallels between Ukraine and Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing and has faced its own fears of a foreign invasion over the years.
Taiwan has also joined Western countries in sanctioning Russia
for its invasion of Ukraine. [1] As a result, Taiwan has halted the export of semiconductors
to Moscow. [2] Russian companies are wholly dependent on Taiwanese semiconductors for the manufacture of electronics and military equipment, and a global shortage of semiconductors has meant that Russia was already struggling for supplies even before Taiwan's export ban. [2] Taiwan's biggest assistance to Ukraine's plight is thus not so much in what it delivers to Ukraine, but what it currently isn't delivering to Russia.
Other aid from Taiwan has so far consisted of the donation of ten VTOL reconnaissance UAVs worth some US$35.000 (which are officially to be used for civilian purposes) by the XDynamics drone company, (medical) supplies and at least US$33 million in funding for medical institutions and Ukrainian refugees. [3] A number of Taiwanese volunteers (estimated at around a dozen) have also joined the Ukrainian Army since February, bringing with them valuable military experience. [4] Future aid could consist of additional funding and (medical) supplies as Taiwan is further strengthening its relations with European countries, even as the EU remains committed to its 'One China' policy.
The US$33 million in humanitarian aid as well as a large volume of supplies
to help Ukrainian citizens and refugees in neighbouring countries was collected thanks to a government-launched campaign held throughout March 2022. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President William Lai and Premier Su
Tseng-chang also each donated one
month of their salary as humanitarian aid. [5] As
Ukraine and Taiwan currently don't have any form of diplomatic
relations, the outpour of support from Taiwanese citizens and the government alike is perhaps all the more special.
The
following list attempts to keep track of equipment
and aid delivered or pledged to Ukraine by Taiwan during the 2022 Russian invasion of
Ukraine. This list will be updated as further support is declared
or uncovered.
Drones
Weapons Parts
Vehicles
(Medical) Supplies
Funds
Grants
Arms For Allies: Taiwan’s Military Donations Answering The Call: Heavy Weaponry Supplied To Ukraine
Drones
Revolver 860 Armed VTOL UAVs [March, April or May 2022] (Small numbers sold to Poland. Subsequently transferred to Ukraine)- 10 EVOLVE 2 Reconnaissance VTOL UAVs [June 2022] (Donated by XDynamics)
Weapons Parts
- $6 Thousand Worth Of AR-15 Assault Rifle Parts [After February 2022] (Donated by the Taiwanese public)
Vehicles
24 Ambulances [May and June 2023] (Donated by the Taiwanese public)- 6 Fire Engines [June 2023] (Donated by the Taiwanese public)
- 8 Vans [June 2023] (Donated by the Taiwanese public)
- 7 Jeeps [June 2023] (Donated by the Taiwanese public)
(Medical) Supplies
- 2 Ambulances [May 2023] (Donated by the Taiwanese public)
- 27 Metric Tons Of Medical Supplies [February 2022]
- 650 Metric Tons Of Supplies [March 2022]
Funds
- $3 million for Kyiv municipality [April 2022] (Funds collected from the Taiwanese public)
- $5 million for six medical institutions in Ukraine [April 2022] (Funds collected from the Taiwanese public)
- $25 million for Ukrainian refugees [April 2022] (Funds collected from the Taiwanese public)
- $56 million to support efforts by Ukrainians to rebuild schools, hospitals and other infrastructure [October 2022]
Grants
- Taiwan Europe Connectivity Scholarships [2023]
[1] The Republic of China (Taiwan) government strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter, joins international economic sanctions against Russia https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1328&s=97420
[2] Taiwan’s semiconductor ban could spell catastrophe for Russia https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/special-focus/ukraine-crisis/taiwan-semiconductor-ban-russia-catastrophe
[3] Taiwan firm donates NT$1 million in drones to Ukraine military https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4479918
[4] Wary of China threat, Taiwanese join Ukraine’s fight against Russia https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/03/taiwan-fighters-ukraine-war-russia-china-threat/
[5] Taiwan president to donate salary for Ukraine relief efforts https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/3/2/taiwan-president-to-donate-salary-for-ukraine-relief-effortsRecommended Articles:
