Speaking at the European Parliament during a session of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), Vice President Hsiao underscored the need for global solidarity in defending democratic values and resisting coercion.

“We stand not only for Taiwan’s freedom but for the principles of democracy and human dignity that unite us all,” Hsiao said.

This marks Hsiao’s first address to the European Parliament as a senior Taiwanese official a significant step in Taipei’s efforts to deepen ties with European partners amid China’s diplomatic isolation campaign.

She was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ling Jialong on a visit that was not publicly disclosed in advance due to security considerations.

Luke de Pulford, executive director of IPAC, described the visit as “a strong signal of international backing for Taiwan’s democracy,” emphasizing that European engagement is vital in ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit comes as tensions remain high across the Taiwan Strait, with Beijing continuing to increase its military presence near Taiwan.

Defense ministers from Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine presented a united front against Russian aggression during a high level NATO meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, as key European allies stepped up their military support for Kyiv.

Germany announced an additional €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, reinforcing Berlin’s position as one of Ukraine’s largest European backers since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion in February 2022. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the “urgency of action” amid growing concerns about ammunition and equipment shortages on the front lines.

In a significant move, ten more European NATO members have agreed to join the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) a procurement mechanism designed to streamline the supply of U.S. made weaponry to Ukraine. The PURL scheme, led by the U.S. and coordinated with NATO allies, enables bulk purchases of critical systems, such as artillery shells, air defense systems, and armored vehicles, to be delivered more efficiently to Ukrainian forces.

“Ukraine’s struggle is our struggle,” UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said. “The PURL initiative ensures our support is not only sustained but accelerated.”

The expanded participation in PURL comes at a critical time. As the war approaches its fourth year, Ukraine faces mounting pressure on the battlefield, particularly in the east and south, where Russian forces have been slowly advancing. Western analysts warn that delays in aid notably from the U.S. due to political gridlock have emboldened Moscow’s military efforts.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov welcomed both Germany’s financial commitment and the broader European resolve. “We are grateful for this lifeline,” Umerov said. “The unity of our partners is crucial for our survival and victory.”

The PURL initiative reflects a broader trend: NATO allies increasingly turning to the U.S. defense industry to fill short term capability gaps. Since 2022, Europe has more than doubled its imports of U.S.-made arms, marking a historic shift in transatlantic defense relations.

This week’s pledges follow a similar wave of support unveiled earlier this year at the NATO Summit in Washington, where allies reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term defense.

With winter approaching, Ukrainian officials say timely delivery of weapons and ammunition is critical to maintaining defensive lines and deterring further Russian advances.

As international speculation grows over potential backchannel diplomacy between Trump and Putin, European leaders have echoed Zelenskiy’s concerns, emphasizing that any resolution to the war in Ukraine must safeguard both Ukrainian sovereignty and European security interests.

“Any decision made without Ukraine will be stillborn it simply won’t work,” Zelenskiy said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Saturday. “We will not accept being a subject of negotiations between others.”

European Union leaders, including German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock and French President Emmanuel Macron, issued a joint statement supporting Ukraine’s stance. “Any sustainable peace must be based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the will of its people,” the statement read.

The renewed diplomatic noise comes amid a prolonged military stalemate in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian and Russian forces remain locked in months long battles along entrenched front lines. With the U.S. election just months away, foreign policy analysts say Ukraine is bracing for a possible shift in Western strategy depending on the outcome.

Trump, who has long expressed skepticism of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, has not publicly outlined a concrete plan for ending the conflict.

Conclusion:
Zelenskiy, who has maintained consistent support from NATO and EU partners, has warned against any “shortcut diplomacy” that undermines Ukraine’s sacrifices. “Peace is our goal,” he said, “but not at the cost of our freedom or sovereignty.”

The court found that the Commission failed to comply with transparency obligations, particularly concerning the negotiation and content of vaccine deals made during the height of the pandemic. This includes contracts signed with major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna.

Critics have long accused the Commission of a lack of accountability, especially regarding reported personal text communications between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. These texts were allegedly used to negotiate key terms of the vaccine contracts, but were never disclosed despite formal requests from journalists and Members of the European Parliament.

The ECJ’s ruling states that the failure to provide access to those communications constitutes a breach of EU transparency laws.

Von der Leyen and the Commission have not yet responded to the ruling. However, legal experts suggest the judgment may open the door to further legal and political scrutiny over the EU’s pandemic response and the billions of euros spent on vaccine procurement.