Taiwan Proposes Dialogue with Ukraine to Combat Sanctions Evasion Over Military Supplies

Taipei – On January 23, Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te extended an invitation to Ukraine for direct talks to address the issue of sanctions circumvention, particularly regarding missile components. This move came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy publicly implicated Taiwan as one of the sources supplying critical parts for missiles used in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskiy’s remarks, delivered at a Davos forum and subsequently shared on his official website, specified that Russia's missile production depends heavily on key components procured from several regions including China, Europe, the United States, and Taiwan.

In response, Lai communicated via his English-language post on the social media platform X that Taiwan has been actively collaborating with international partners to provide robust support to Ukraine, highlighted through humanitarian aid efforts and sanctions coordination. He emphasized a willingness to expand these cooperative measures to effectively clamp down on illegal third-party shipments and the concealment of final military uses for exported goods. A photo featuring orchids colored in blue and yellow – representing the Ukrainian flag – accompanied his statement.

Lai also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Taiwanese volunteer fighters who have lost their lives defending Ukraine, reflecting the island’s broader commitment to freedom and opposition to aggression. He reaffirmed Taiwan's firm stance that any support extended to aggressor nations or violations of international embargoes and export control regulations are unacceptable. The Vice President concluded by expressing hope for a swift restoration of peace in Ukraine.

Efforts by Taiwan to prevent technology transfers supporting military conflicts have been ongoing, with the island updating export controls repeatedly since the outbreak of hostilities in 2022. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, a global leader, has been central to these export regulations aimed at barring military applications. Additionally, Taiwan complies with the Wassenaar Arrangement that seeks to control conventional arms and dual-use goods exports, though Taiwan itself is not a formal signatory to the agreement.

While interaction between Taiwan and Ukraine has hitherto included unofficial talks with Ukrainian municipal leaders and coordination through Taiwanese diplomatic missions in Europe, the two governments lack formal diplomatic representation within each other's territories. Humanitarian aid from Taiwan has mainly been managed via these European diplomatic channels rather than direct bilateral contact.

Attempts to reach the Ukrainian presidential office for comment outside official working hours were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the ongoing dialogue signals a developing willingness from Taiwan to deepen cooperation with Ukraine concerning sanctions enforcement and export controls in the context of the complex geopolitical situation caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.