Experience in Exchange for Components: Expert Talks About Taiwan-Ukraine Cooperation

Political expert and serviceman Oleksandr Musienko commented on a New York Times report stating that Ukraine’s experience in war is crucial for Taiwan’s defense, and assessed whether greater cooperation is possible, reports Politeka.

He shared his thoughts on this in his blog.

According to the expert, due to geopolitical constraints and dependence on the Chinese economy, the governments of Kyiv and Taipei do not maintain direct military ties. However, at the level of defense companies and individual specialists, active knowledge exchange is ongoing. They study Ukrainian methods of using various types of drones, and international contractors are already testing drones in Taiwan based on Ukrainian designs.

“There is also the supply of components. Taiwan acts as an intermediary in the supply chains of components that previously came from China for the needs of Ukraine’s defense industry. Indeed, this is a sensitive issue, because, as you know, China remains, for Ukraine, one of the largest trade and economic partners in terms of raw material exports. Unfortunately, only raw materials, while we would like to have high value-added products as well, so that we could reform our economic sector and strengthen and expand it in this direction,” comments Oleksandr Musienko.

The expert notes that such publications in American media may raise questions in official Beijing, and these questions are inevitable, so one must be prepared. However, he emphasizes that what is crucial for Ukraine right now is to withstand.

“It is fundamentally important to increase our long-range capabilities, develop our defense industry, and produce more drones. Against this backdrop, all elements and opportunities that we can use must be utilized. The main issue is the preservation of the Ukrainian nation, our freedom, our will, our independence, and repelling the aggressor. And the aggressor continues to receive support from China, that’s also a fact. So, here, well, excuse me, no one should take offense, in my opinion,” concludes Oleksandr Musienko.