Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a dire warning about the potential escalation of casualties in the ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that "millions" could perish if the United States fails to approve President Joe Biden's proposed $60 billion aid package for Kyiv. This stark projection was shared during an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, where Zelensky expressed concerns over the understanding of the war's gravity by some US lawmakers, notably referencing Senator J.D. Vance's skepticism about the impact of the aid.
"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 asserted, emphasizing the critical need for continued US support. His comments underscore the precarious situation Ukraine finds itself in, as the nation grapples with the devastating consequences of Russia's aggression.
The urgency of Zelensky's plea was compounded by his rare public acknowledgment of Ukrainian military losses. In a conference in Kyiv, the Ukrainian leader disclosed that the conflict had claimed the lives of approximately 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers, a figure that starkly contrasts with the much higher casualty numbers touted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It's a big loss to us. 31,000 Ukrainians, Ukrainian soldiers, died in this war. Not 300,000. Not 150,000, whatever Putin is lying with," Zelensky clarified, highlighting the human cost of the war while disputing Russian claims.
This admission comes at a time when Ukraine is marking two years since the full-scale invasion by Russian forces, a period that has seen Kyiv being reticent about revealing its military casualties. Previous statements by Ukrainian officials, including former Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and the head of Ukraine's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, have provided varied figures, but the consensus among US officials estimates the number of soldiers killed to be around 70,000, with nearly twice that number wounded.
The battlefield dynamics and the struggle for aid are set against a backdrop of significant Russian losses, with a declassified US intelligence assessment provided to Congress in December suggesting that Russia has lost 87% of its active-duty ground troops since the onset of the invasion.
Amid these challenges, Zelensky's comments also extend to the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly the stalled foreign aid bill in the US House of Representatives due to opposition from isolationist Republicans. "They know we need their support," Zelensky stated, emphasizing the critical nature of the aid for Ukraine's defense efforts.
Furthermore, Zelensky hinted at the possibility of attending a peace summit in Switzerland in the spring, though he cautioned that Russia might not participate. "Putin does not want to end this war," he remarked, shedding light on the complexities of negotiating peace in such a fraught conflict.
As Ukraine continues to navigate the tumultuous waters of war, Zelensky's forthright comments serve as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved-not just for Ukraine but for the international community at large. The specter of escalated casualties without adequate support underscores the urgent need for a concerted global response to address the humanitarian and security crisis unfolding in Eastern Europe.
