Key facts
- Up to 20 million Ukrainians could flee to Europe if Russia wins the war.
- Russia is actively trying to destroy Ukraine and push its citizens out.
- Over 4 million Ukrainians currently reside in EU countries under temporary protection.
- Ukraine faces a budget shortfall of $30 million to $35 million next year.
- Zelenskyy met with EU leaders in Brussels to seek financial support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Friday that as many as 20 million Ukrainians could be forced to flee to Europe if Russia prevails in the ongoing war. Speaking at a press conference during a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, Zelenskyy stated that Russia is actively trying to destroy his country and expel its citizens. Millions of Ukrainians fled their homes in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Currently, over 4 million Ukrainians reside in EU countries under temporary protection status, with significant populations in Germany, Poland, and Czechia. Zelenskyy's stark warning comes as Ukraine enters its fifth wartime winter facing Russian bombardment and a projected budget shortfall of $30 million to $35 million next year, despite a €90 billion EU loan.