A bag is placed over Wu Ping-yen’s head as he, along with others, is led to the floor with their hands tied, outside Russia’s unofficial embassy in Taipei. This protest supports Ukraine on the third-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Wu, a 34-year-old engineer in Taipei, is also fighting pressure from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.
Three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Wu’s support for Kyiv has grown vital. However, under President Donald Trump, the United States acted erratically, accusing Ukraine’s elected leader of being a dictator and hinting Ukraine started the conflict with Russia.
In Taipei, amid concern about US commitment to the Taiwan Strait amid potential Chinese threats, many worry about the delicate balance of power. Protests held the slogan ‘Today Ukraine, Tomorrow Taiwan’, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Moscow’s victory could lead China to threaten Taiwan.
While China and Russia strengthen their “no limits partnership”, the new Trump administration has altered alliances and stated that US security focus is shifting to China, questioning Taiwan’s support.
Despite this uncertainty, Taiwan continues to seek closer ties with Washington, with the US recently removing a line that stated Washington does not support Taiwan independence. However, Taiwan’s essential semiconductor exports, which could potentially strengthen Sino-American ties, remain a concern for those wary about the region’s stability.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/taiwanese-anxious-over-trump-s-handling-of-ukraine-war/a-71742758?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
