The Republic of China and Ukraine - from the first days of the war

Exclusive. Relations between Ukraine and Taiwan in the period from 2022 to 2025 developed in the context of global challenges, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and rising tension between Taiwan and China. Despite the lack of official diplomatic relations due to the "one China" policy that Ukraine adheres to, these two regions have found points of contact based on common values ​​of democracy, resistance to authoritarian threats, and mutual support.

2022: Start of active interaction

With the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Taiwan was one of the first to express solidarity. Already on March 15, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan announced the allocation of 11,5 million dollars to help Ukrainian refugees. In April of the same year, the head of the Foreign Ministry of Taiwan, Joseph Wu, held a video conference with the mayor of Kyiv, Vitaliy Klitschko, and promised 3 million dollars for the restoration of the city and another 5 million dollars for six Ukrainian medical institutions. This was the first significant contact at this level since 1957.

In the summer of 2022, Taiwan handed over 800 Revolver 860 short-range bomber drones to Ukraine, which became an important contribution to Ukraine's military efforts. In October 2022, a Ukrainian delegation visited Taiwan, where People's Deputies Yulia Klymenko and Kyra Rudyk spoke. At this event, Joseph Wu announced the allocation of 56 million dollars to help restore Ukraine, which emphasized the deepening of cooperation.

The participation of Taiwanese volunteers in the war on the side of Ukraine was a tragic but symbolic moment. In November 2022, 25-year-old Jonathan Zeng, who served in the "Carpathian Sech" battalion, died in Luhansk region, which caused a wide resonance in Taiwan and strengthened the emotional connection between the peoples.

2023-2024: Deepening humanitarian and cultural cooperation

In 2023, Taiwan continued to provide humanitarian aid. A project on the restoration of schools in Ukraine was implemented jointly with Lithuania: in May, Taiwan allocated 5 million dollars for this purpose, and in August, the kindergarten "Ruta" was opened in Irpen as a result of this cooperation. Also during this period, Ukrainian deputies, including Inna Sovsun, actively advocated the creation of a parliamentary friendship group with Taiwan, which was a step towards the institutionalization of relations.

Taiwan inspired by resilience Ukraine in the struggle with Russia, seeing in this parallels with its situation in the confrontation with China. Taiwanese politicians and public figures repeatedly notedthat the success of Ukraine can become an example for their own defense.

2025: Prospects and new initiatives

At the beginning of 2025, relations continued to strengthen. In January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan received a delegation from Lviv headed by Mayor Andrey Sadov, and confirmed Taiwan's solidarity with Ukraine. A memorandum on support for the reconstruction of the National Rehabilitation Center "Nezlamni" in Lviv was signed. In addition, in March 2025 against the background of the growing threat from China Taiwan turned to Ukraine with a request to share the experience of the confrontation in war conditions, emphasizing his "will to fight".

Common features and challenges

Relations between Ukraine and Taiwan during this period were based on mutual understanding: both sides face threats from large authoritarian neighbors (Russia and China), have experience in the struggle for democracy, and strive for international support. However, the lack of official diplomatic ties limits cooperation, reducing it to humanitarian aid, informal contacts and trade (for example, drone deliveries). China, in turn, reacts negatively to any rapprochement between Kyiv and Taipei, which creates additional political risks for Ukraine.

Thus, in 2022–2025, relations between Ukraine and Taiwan evolved from episodic support to a more systematic partnership based on common values ​​and pragmatic interests, despite geopolitical limitations.

CAI for Newsky