Ukrainians in Taipei took to the streets Sunday to highlight the problems facing their war-torn country, and they urged Taiwan to open its borders to refugees who have family here.

Accompanied by Taiwanese and people of other nationalities, the Ukrainians held placards, posters and flags that declared the sovereignty of their country, which has been invaded by Russia.

Several Ukrainians expressed gratitude to the people of Taiwan for their generous donations to provide shelter, relief aid and medical supplies to persons displaced by the war in Ukraine.

“Every dollar you send is helping our people and helping to the fight terrorist attack by Russia,” a Ukrainian, who identified himself only Vadym, said at the rally in Liberty Square at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

He said Ukrainians will never give up, and they will win.

“But your support can help us to avoid more casualties than those who are dying right now during the Russian attacks,” said Vadym, who is from central Ukraine.

However, the Ukrainians at the rally said that they would also like to see Taiwan open its borders to people who are fleeing the war, particularly those who have relatives in Taiwan.

A man from southern Ukraine, who has been living in Taiwan for nine years and identified himself only as Anatolii, said he was very worried about the safety of his family back home.

“The Taiwanese government should at least offer visa-free treatment to minor Ukrainian children who have family members in Taiwan, so they can visit and stay for a while until their home country becomes safer,” Anatolii said, speaking in fluent Mandarin.

He also urged Taiwanese consumers to boycott Russian products, and he called on local enterprises not to do business with Russian companies.

“Every penny Russia earns will be used to purchase bullets, targeting Ukrainians,” Anatolii warned.

Meanwhile, Hanna Kuo, who is married to a Taiwanese man, joined the call for Taiwan to allow the entry of Ukrainian refugee children who have relatives in Taiwan.

She said the government’s recent decision to allow extended stay for Ukrainians in Taiwan was very helpful, but it should go further.

Before the Russian invasion, Kuo said, she had inquired whether her family members in Ukraine could come to Taiwan, but she was told they could not.

The response from Taiwan’s representative office in Poland, which also handles Ukrainian affairs, was that due to the COVID-19 restrictions, only foreign spouses and minor children of Taiwanese citizens or legal residents were allowed entry, she said.

Another Ukrainian woman, a mother called Julia, said at the rally that she has been living in Taiwan for seven years and has many relatives and friends in Ukraine.

She said Ukrainian mothers are now experiencing their worst nightmare — seeing their children facing serious harm each day, with no medical aid or food supplies.

She said that during the current invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is targeting women and children, thereby committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“This war is creating a blueprint for other regimes on how to invade other free countries,” Julia warned.

She also called on parents worldwide to consider carefully whether this is the future they want for their children.

“Militarization means less money for health, education,” Julia said. “Is this the future we want for our children? We are all living on this planet, in this big house. What story are you going to pass on to your children? What story are you going to tell them, when they ask you what did you do to stop the evil?”

Since the invasion of Ukraine in recent weeks, the Taiwan government has commissioned a foundation to launch a fundraising campaign to assist Ukrainians.

As of Saturday, NT$214 million (US$8.56 million) in donations had been collected over a three-day period.

The funds will be used by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to provide medical aid, shelter, and relief supplies to Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing war in their country, according to the Relieve Disaster Foundation, which was commissioned by MOFA to manage the fundraising campaign.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel