Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to European Union leaders that more than 20 million Ukrainians could be forced to flee to the bloc if his country loses the war against Russia, according to Polsat News.
Speaking in Brussels on Friday during an EU summit, Zelensky urged European leaders to continue supporting Ukraine, emphasising that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of stopping his military offensive. “Russia is killing us on our territory. They came to our land and are moving forward. They don’t want to stop,” he told the gathering, as reported by The Guardian.
The Ukrainian president stressed that Putin’s ambitions extend far beyond seizing eastern Ukraine. “Such a person will never have enough,” Zelensky warned, suggesting that Russian territorial demands would continue to grow regardless of any concessions.
Current refugee situation
The scale of displacement from Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion has already been enormous. According to Eurostat data cited in the report, approximately 4 million Ukrainian citizens currently reside in EU member states under temporary protection status.
Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic have received the largest numbers of Ukrainian refugees. Before the war, Ukraine had a population of roughly 42 million people. The Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Studies at Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences reported in July that around 29 million people now remain in territory controlled by Kyiv.
Zelensky’s warning suggests that a Russian victory could trigger an exodus more than five times larger than the current refugee population in the EU, representing a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions for Europe.
Budget crisis deepens
The president’s remarks came shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday that Ukraine’s budget deficit is projected to reach approximately €70 billion next year. This shortfall persists even after accounting for a €90 billion EU loan approved in April to cover Ukraine’s financial needs for 2026-2027.
During Friday’s summit, Zelensky discussed ongoing financial support requirements with EU leaders as his country struggles to maintain both its war effort and basic government functions amid the prolonged conflict.
What this means for Poles in Poland
Poland has already become one of the primary destinations for Ukrainian refugees, hosting hundreds of thousands since the war began. Zelensky’s warning suggests that Polish communities could face an even larger influx if the conflict turns decisively against Ukraine.
Such a scenario would place enormous pressure on Poland’s housing, education, healthcare and social services infrastructure. The country has received substantial EU funding to support Ukrainian refugees, but a wave of 20 million people across Europe would likely see a significant proportion arriving in Poland due to its proximity and existing Ukrainian community networks.
For Poles living abroad, the development underscores the strategic importance of continued Western support for Ukraine. A Russian victory could reshape migration patterns across Europe and potentially affect Poland’s security situation as a NATO member on the alliance’s eastern flank. The situation also highlights why Poland has been among the most vocal advocates for sustained military and financial aid to Kyiv within EU and NATO forums.
