Ukraine war losses: Zelensky reveals death toll

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the ongoing war with Russia is estimated at around 55,000 troops.

In a pre-recorded interview with French television channel France 2, broadcast on Wednesday, Zelensky stated that “the official number of military personnel killed on the battlefield stands at 55,000.”

The Ukrainian president added that, in addition to this figure, there is another number he described as “large” of military personnel who are officially classified as missing.

About a year ago, Zelensky confirmed in an interview with the US network NBC that the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war had exceeded 46,000, indicating a significant rise in human losses over the past year of fighting.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s readiness to reach a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, noting that the Russian military operation would continue until Kyiv accepts peace.

In press statements, he said: “Russia continues its special military operation until Kyiv makes a decision on a settlement. The doors remain open to a peaceful solution, and we remain committed to peace.”

He also expressed Moscow’s gratitude to Washington for its efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and for organizing negotiations with Kyiv under US mediation, stressing that Russia’s position is clear to both the American and Ukrainian sides.

Negotiations with high hopes

A new round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement, mediated by the United States, began on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. These trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States will continue over two days as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing the political track of the crisis.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that hosting this round carries several key implications, most notably:

• It reflects the UAE’s solid and balanced relations with all three parties. 
• It embodies international confidence in the UAE’s role as a facilitator of dialogue. 
• It demonstrates international trust in the UAE’s ability to provide a supportive environment for constructive talks led by US President Donald Trump. 
• It underscores the UAE’s commitment to supporting international efforts to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution, enhancing prospects for peace and stability at both the regional and international levels. 

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the launch of the second round reflects the commitment of the concerned parties to the diplomatic track, expressing hope that this round will build on the achievements of the first and help advance toward broader understandings.