Taipei City government hosted an event Thursday to show its solidarity with Ukraine and denounce Russia’s invasion of the Eastern European country, seven days after the Russian military crossed the border.
During a speech at the “Solidarity with Ukraine” event at Taipei City Hall, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (???) denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military invasion of Ukraine as a unilateral act of aggression that poses a direct threat to both European and global security.
“As mayor of Taipei, a member city of the Pact of Free Cities, I join 22 other mayors of the organization in condemning President Putin’s armed aggression against Ukraine,” Ko said.
More than 1 million refugees have flooded into neighboring countries from Ukraine, noted Ko, adding that the number could exceed 4 million if tensions continue to escalate, citing information from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Ko said Taipei wants to offer support to people in Ukraine and stand in solidarity with them in their fight for freedom and democracy.
“I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I will personally contribute NT$100,000 (US$3,564) and the city government will seek other financial resources in response to the Ukraine crisis,” Ko said.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the event, Ko revealed that Warsaw, a sister city of Taipei, sent an emergency letter to Taipei to request humanitarian assistance of medical supplies and Taipei is considering using a NT$50 million social welfare fund to provide help.
“We do not have time to start a donation drive, we need to send emergency medical supplies to Warsaw to help those refugees,” Ko said.
Since the Russian government ordered its military into Ukraine on Feb. 24, over 200 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured through midnight on March 1, according to the United Nations human rights office.
One of the Ukrainians who talked to the media about the harsh conditions in his home country during a recent rally outside the Russian representative office in Taipei is Vadym Komisar, who also attended the Taipei City event.
“What exactly is Russia doing, there is one short answer to that and that is committing an inhumane crime against Ukrainian people,” Komisar said.
Furthermore, Komisar called for the people of Taiwan to cease any business dealings with Russia.
“If they cannot live in peace and have respect for others, they must be isolated,” Komisar said. “Please do not invest in a regime that brings devastation and death to my people.”
Describing the Russian military as merciless for shooting at civilians, residential buildings, hospitals, and schools, Komisar urged support for the Ukrainian army and donations of medical aid and food.
“Your support can help us put an end to this as soon as possible and avoid even more victims,” Komisar said.
Also in attendance at the event was Filip Grzegorzewski, Director of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, who said he stands with Ukraine and called for the provision of humanitarian aid to help the refugees forced to flee Ukraine.
In the past week, at least three rallies have been held outside the Russian representative office in downtown Taipei.
A CNA reporter contacted the Russian office by phone after a rally Tuesday, but the office said they were not aware of any rally and had not received any petition.
An e-mail sent to the office asking for comments went unanswered.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel