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Lithuania's former foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, says support for Ukraine translates to support for Taiwan. He made the comments during a keynote speech in Taiwan, where he is visiting to be honored for promoting stronger ties between the two countries.
Transcript
00:00Lithuania's former top diplomat, who's in Taiwan to receive a government honor for his
00:06contribution in boosting ties between the two countries, he says that democratic states
00:12are facing their most significant challenge since the end of the Cold War.
00:17Speaking in Taipei, Gabrielus Landsbergis told diplomats and analysts that the world
00:24is on the brink of dividing into democratic nations and authoritarian ones, and that
00:30democratic friends must stand together to preserve the rules-based order.
00:35By supporting Ukraine, we are simultaneously contributing to deterring China around Taiwan.
00:42Sharing lessons from Ukraine strengthens Taiwan's defense capabilities.
00:48Authoritarians learn from each other.
00:50Landsbergis was Lithuania's foreign minister up until a month ago, after his party lost
00:56elections.
00:57While in office, he oversaw a significant improvement in relations with Taiwan, and
01:02lobbied for global support for Taiwan, angering China, which downgraded diplomatic relations
01:08with Lithuania in response.
01:11Lithuania was a rare friend to Taiwan, willing to challenge China and take on the political
01:17consequences.
01:19The worry now for Taiwan is with a new Lithuanian government keen to reset relations with China,
01:26Taiwan will be that bit more alone again.
01:29Klein Wong and Louise Watt in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.

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