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The former President of Taiwan has called on the United States to prioritize military support for Ukraine over her own country.

What’s the deal: While speaking at a security convention, Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged the United States to prioritize military support for Ukraine, emphasizing its broader global importance. “They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians. We [Taiwan] still have time.” She argued that a victory for Ukraine would have a ripple effect on global stability, noting that “A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression.”

The comments from the former Taiwanese President come after Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, warned that the Pentagon’s ongoing military aid to Ukraine and Israel is straining US resources needed to prepare for potential wars in Asia. Paparo acknowledged that while earlier shipments, primarily of artillery and short-range weapons, did not impact readiness, more recent deployments of advanced systems like Patriot missiles and air-to-air weaponry are now “eating into [US] stocks.”

The strain on weapons stockpiles, he explained, could impact the US’s ability to sustain prolonged operations or respond swiftly to crises in Asia. This concern comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed his forces to be ready for a possible conflict over Taiwan by 2027, amplifying the urgency for the US to maintain readiness while continuing its commitments in Europe and the Middle East.

This all comes as President Biden has vowed to expedite the disbursement of all remaining allocated aid to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025.