10/31/2025October 31, 2025
Taiwan opposition leader defends Putin, blames NATO for Ukraine war
Cheng Li-wun, the new chairwoman of ‘s largest opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), has told DW that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not be considered a dictator, describing him instead as “a president elected through democratic votes.”
She added, “Pinning that label on him is unreasonable and unfair.”
Vladimir Putin has steadily dismantled Russia’s democratic institutions, jailing or exiling political opponents and silencing independent media. Multiple critics and political rivals, and , have died under suspicious circumstances. He also changed the constitution to “reset” presidential term limits, .
Putin also directly ordered Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — framing it as a “special military operation.” Criticizing the move and even labeling it as a war is against the law in Russia, with many journalists jailed for allegedly “discrediting” the nation’s military.
When asked whether Putin alone held the power to decide on war, Cheng rejected the premise, saying it was “an extremely complex international situation.”
“Back then, NATO promised Russia it wouldn’t expand eastward,” she said. “But NATO broke its promise and expanded eastward again and again, right up to Russia’s doorstep. That is the core, fundamental reason why war broke out in Ukraine today.”
The invasion of Ukraine sounded alarm bells in Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province. Taipei leaders fear that China might follow the example set by Russia and launch a military invasion of the island. Cheng’s KMT advocates engagement with Beijing and favors cross-strait dialogue. It opposes but does not support unification under Beijing’s terms.
The post Ukraine: Zelenskyy says Russia deployed 170,000 troops for push in Donetsk appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
