Taiwan’s government pledged an additional US$1 million Wednesday to fund emergency electricity generation in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, as the country battles widespread power outages due to Russian air strikes on critical infrastructure.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said a lack of electricity and heating had become a pressing issue in Ukraine as its war with Russia protracts into winter, a time when average temperatures in Kyiv fluctuate between 0 and -7 degrees Celsius.

According to MOFA, the funds will be allocated to procure electricity generation equipment, including diesel and gasoline generators, to “help the more than three million Kyiv residents suffering from electricity shortages survive the severe winter,” the statement said.

The donation was confirmed with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (???), Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, and Grygorii Malenko, executive director of the Kyiv-based charitable fund Darnychany, MOFA said.

Taiwan’s government will also donate blankets, scarves, gloves, and warm clothes to the residents of Kyiv, which has been forced to implement rolling blackouts, the statement added.

MOFA said Taiwan was ready to help during times of trouble to Ukraine, a fellow country “on the front lines in guarding against authoritarian expansionism.”

Taiwan’s government earlier this year raised nearly US$33 million for Ukraine from private donors through the Relieve Disaster Foundation.

In October, the government said that it was planning to provide an additional US$56 million in funds to support Ukraine when the Eastern European nation began rebuilding efforts. The pledged funding is still awaiting legislative approval.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel