Zelensky warns: 20 million Ukrainians may leave. Russia is killing us

Zelensky: They came to our land

Russia is killing us on our territory. They came to our land and continue to move forward. They don't want to stop, Zelensky said, speaking to EU leaders on Friday in Brussels. His words are quoted by the British daily "Guardian".

According to the Ukrainian president, Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants more than just occupying the eastern part of Ukraine. There will never be enough of such a person, Zelensky added.

Millions of Ukrainians have left their homeland

In July, the Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reported that currently approximately 29 million people live in the country, which had approximately 42 million inhabitants before the war. These are people residing in territories controlled by the authorities in Kiev.

Millions of Ukrainians fled their homes at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Eurostat estimates that approximately 4 million Ukrainian citizens currently reside in EU countries and benefit from temporary protection. Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic accepted the largest number of refugees, respectively.

Ukraine's budget deficit

Zelensky's warning about a potential new wave of refugees came after the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Thursday that Ukraine's budget deficit next year will amount to approximately EUR 70 billion.

This gap results even after taking into account the EU loan of EUR 90 billion approved in April for Ukraine's financial needs in 2026–2027.

Zelensky took part in the EU summit in Brussels on Friday. The president discussed with EU leaders, among others: further financial support for Ukraine.