Ukraine’s parliament has formed a new Taiwan friendship caucus. The caucus, announced on Wednesday, is made up of 15 lawmakers from three different parties. It aims to promote trade, cultural, economic and humanitarian ties between Taiwan and Ukraine.
Leading the caucus is Oleksandr Merezhko, who also heads the parliament’s foreign affairs committee. Merezhko says Ukraine is grateful for Taiwan’s support, especially for its sanctions on Russia and the millions Taiwan has given in aid to Ukraine’s war-ravaged cities. He says Taiwan and Ukraine are on the same side in the global battle between freedom and autocracy.
Fellow caucus member Inna Sovsun says the new caucus will act as a bridge to encourage legislators in both countries to work together. She says the eventual goal is to open a Taiwanese representative office in Ukraine.
Merezhko adds that Poland — which has a representative office in Taipei and has concluded a number of agreements with Taiwan — is an example for Ukraine. This comes as a number of Eastern European countries have deepened their ties with Taiwan over the past two years.