Ukraine is a “model for Taiwan,” Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Wednesday, as he announced future $56 million aid to Kyiv to rebuild infrastructure destroyed by Russian military strikes, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Since Russia launched a large-scale offensive on Ukrainian territory in February, fueling fears that China may in turn follow through on threats to seize control of Taiwan, Ukraine has enjoyed massive support on the island.

“Ukraine is a model for Taiwan,” said Wu, who hosted Ukrainian and Lithuanian parliamentarians in Taipei.

“We are also fighting for freedom and democracy and we know that Ukraine will win. Glory to Ukraine and together with Ukraine we will win!” he added.

The $56 million donation, which still has to be approved by Taiwan’s parliament, will be used mainly to renovate schools and hospitals.

This follows a public fundraising campaign for Ukraine that raised nearly $33 million in just four weeks earlier this year.

“All our embassies are on high alert”

Also on Wednesday, Taiwan’s foreign minister predicted that China’s pressure on the 14 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taipei will increase after Xi Jinping consolidated his power at the recent Chinese Communist Party congress, as Chinese officials will be willing and “will show loyalty ” to the president, who has reached his third term.

“We received information that worries us (…). We hope that our diplomatic relations will not depend on China,” Wu said in the Taipei parliament.

“All our embassies and representative offices are on high alert (…) We will verify this information and take measures to strengthen diplomatic relations,” he added.

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