Millions of lives are at stake in Ukraine’s war with Russia if the United States fails to approve President Joe Biden’s $60 billion aid request for Kyiv, warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with CNN. Zelensky expressed his concerns after US Senator J.D. Vance claimed that the outcome of the war would not change even if Ukraine receives the money. Zelensky questioned Vance’s understanding of the situation, emphasizing the need to witness the frontline and speak with the people affected by the conflict.
“To understand it is to come to the front line to see what’s going on, to speak with the people, then to go to civilians to understand … what will (happen to) them without this support. And he will understand that millions … will be killed. It’s a fact,” Zelensky stated. He further added, “Of course he doesn’t understand, God bless you don’t have the war on your territory.”
Zelensky’s warning came shortly after he publicly acknowledged the loss of Ukrainian troops during a conference in Kyiv. He revealed that approximately 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far, countering Russian claims of much higher casualties. Zelensky also highlighted the significant loss of civilian lives in Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces, estimating “tens of thousands” of civilian deaths.
The numbers provided by Zelensky cannot be independently verified by CNN, but they coincide with Ukraine’s two-year commemoration of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Throughout the conflict, Kyiv has been reluctant to disclose the exact number of soldier fatalities. Former Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov suggested in June 2022 that tens of thousands of Ukrainians had been killed since February of that year. Two months later, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former head of Ukraine’s armed forces, reported 9,000 troop deaths. However, US officials estimate that around 70,000 soldiers have been killed and nearly double that number wounded.
Meanwhile, Russia has suffered a significant blow to its military strength, losing a staggering 87% of its active-duty ground troops since the invasion, according to a declassified US intelligence assessment provided to Congress. As Ukraine faces setbacks on the battlefield and struggles to secure more aid from Western partners, Zelensky emphasized the importance of Congress’s support. He expressed hope that Congress would act promptly, acknowledging that Ukraine is counting on their assistance.
Zelensky also mentioned the possibility of attending a peace summit in Switzerland in the spring, although he cautioned that Russia may not be willing to participate. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of prolonging the war, stating that Putin “does not want to end this war.”
The situation in Ukraine remains critical, with millions of lives hanging in the balance. As the conflict continues, it is crucial for international partners, especially the United States, to provide the necessary aid and support to prevent further loss of life and bring about a peaceful resolution. The world watches anxiously as Ukraine fights for its survival and hopes for a brighter future.