TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has identified a link between Russia’s war in Ukraine and a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
“Authoritarians learn from each other,” Landsbergis said in a speech on Wednesday. Beijing is “undoubtedly” studying Russia's strategies in Ukraine, he said and if its tactics are deemed successful, hawks in Beijing will not embrace peace with Taiwan, he said.
“By supporting Ukraine, we are simultaneously contributing to deterring China around Taiwan,” the foreign minister said. Russia hopes democracies are too preoccupied with domestic issues that they will give up Ukraine, he said.
If Ukraine is forced to surrender its territory, it will be the democratic world that loses, Landsbergis warned. The rules-based order and relevant institutions will be destroyed and small neighboring nations will become pawns, he said. “We cannot allow that to happen. We must act proactively and decisively.”
He pointed out the similarities between China's aggression towards Taiwan and Russia's actions in Ukraine, especially with gray zone activities. China “mirrors” Russia’s pre-invasion military exercises near Ukraine by sending PLA aircraft and navy ships around Taiwan, he said.
Landsbergis underscored the importance of protecting democracy and the rules-based international order “by any means necessary.”
To counter the threat of expanding authoritarianism, democracies should share experiences and send a clear message to authoritarian regimes that “an attack on one democracy, no matter how small will be met with a collective response from the whole global democratic community.”
The former foreign minister was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon by Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday for his contributions to strengthening Taiwan-Lithuania relations. Landsbergis arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day visit to engage with top officials.
Taiwan opened a representative office in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, in 2021, while a Lithuanian trade office was established in Taipei in 2022. The two countries have since enhanced trade and economic cooperation, including in the tech and drone industries.
