On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly stated that a crisis across the Taiwan Strait is not an internal Chinese matter, but a matter of concern to the entire world that could have disastrous consequences for the global economy.
In this episode, Charles Wu, National Chengchi University Associate Professor of Diplomacy, and Yurii Poita, Kyiv-based Center for Army, Conversion Disarmament Studies New Geopolitics Research Network Asia Section Head, discuss what increased support for both the security of Ukraine and Taiwan means in the global war against authoritarianism.
Taiwan Talks also speaks to Hanna Hopko, Democracy in Action Chair and a former MP and the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Head about how Ukrainians are confident in winning and how her country is working with Taiwan. Vincent Chao, Taipei City Councilor and former Political Director at Taiwan’s mission to the U.S., then tells how Taiwan is becoming a key focus with Ukraine’s wake-up call.
Topics discussed:
- Boost in the West’s support for smaller democracies: Comparing the U.S. and its allies are stepping up for Taiwan and Ukraine
- What Ukraine needs in winning war with Russia: Arms (F-16s, HIMARS, other weapons), humanitarian support, economic and diplomatic measures against Russia?
- China-Russia ties: Is Xi Jinping returning to its ‘no limits’ relationship with Vladimir Putin? What is behind Wang Yi’s recent trip to Russia? Have China effectively picked sides?
- Lessons for Taiwan: Ukraine’s unwavering fighting spirit - over 90% of Ukrainians believe they are winning the war
- Democracy vs. Autocracy: Record support for Taiwan at the Munich Security Conference as democracies draw parallels between authoritarian aggression over Ukraine
- U.S. Indo-Pacific alliances: How important has Taiwan become Philippines has had enough with China? Will it now take a tougher stance against China and embrace U.S. allies in countering authoritarianism?
- Picking sides: Has the Russian invasion pushed Ukraine to become skeptical of China and what does this mean for Taiwan?
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