Zelenskyy: Ukraine War Casualties Reach 55,000, Putin Fears Trump & EU Aid Deal | Euronews
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, that Ukraine has officially recorded 55,000 soldiers killed in action since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
- Zelenskyy shared these figures during an interview with French public broadcaster France 2, visibly emotional as he addressed the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
- The disclosure came as new trilateral talks commenced in Abu Dhabi, where Zelenskyy accused Moscow of employing a pressure strategy.
Zelenskyy Reveals Ukrainian Military Losses, Accuses Russia of ‘Ultimatum’ in Abu Dhabi Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Wednesday, , that Ukraine has officially recorded 55,000 soldiers killed in action since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in . He also acknowledged a “large number of people” are currently listed as missing, according to a report by Euronews.
Zelenskyy shared these figures during an interview with French public broadcaster France 2, visibly emotional as he addressed the human cost of the ongoing conflict. However, the Ukrainian president noted that the actual number of Ukrainian soldiers killed may be significantly higher, as estimates from independent research centers, such as the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C., range between 100,000 and 140,000.
The disclosure came as new trilateral talks commenced in Abu Dhabi, where Zelenskyy accused Moscow of employing a pressure strategy. He stated that Russia “wants to inflict more suffering on Ukrainians so that they accept what our American friends call a ‘compromise’,” but characterized this as “in reality an ultimatum from the Kremlin.”
Zelenskyy underscored the existential stakes of the war, stating, “If we lose this war, we lose our independence.”
Renewed Russian strikes served as a stark backdrop to the diplomatic efforts. On Wednesday, a drone attack in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in two fatalities. The previous day, Russia targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid temperatures plummeting to near -20°C.
The Ukrainian president also discussed his relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, describing them as “good friends.” He noted that Macron had contacted him regarding a potential resumption of dialogue with Russia, adding, “He knows what I think. Putin’s interest is to humiliate Europe. But it is very important that Emmanuel works to bring peace. It will be beneficial for the whole world if there is no more war in Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy offered an assessment of the dynamics between Russia and Western powers, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is not afraid of Europeans” because “Europeans lived in a wonderful, secure world that they built themselves.” He contrasted this with Putin’s perceived fear of former U.S. President Donald Trump, attributing it to Trump’s “means of pressure through the economy, through sanctions, through weapons.” Trump had recently called on Putin to “end the war” following the recent strikes on Kyiv.
Looking beyond Ukraine’s borders, Zelenskyy warned that “Ukraine’s neighbouring countries understand that they will be Putin’s next victims, that Russia will advance.” He emphasized that those European nations recognizing this threat are providing effective assistance to Ukraine, stating, “We are all fighting to defend the European way of life.”
On Wednesday, the European Union moved to facilitate additional weapon purchases for Ukraine, specifically from the United Kingdom, as part of a €90 billion loan package intended for Kyiv. The agreement allows non-EU states to participate in the scheme in exchange for a financial contribution.