Ukraine’s president has revealed he believes more than 46,000 of the country’s soldiers have now died during its war with Russia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also estimated that “tens of thousands” of Ukrainian civilians had been killed, but said it was difficult to know the exact number.

He made the comments during an interview with NBC.

When asked how many Ukrainians had died in the conflict so far, Zelenskyy said: “We have 46,000-plus killed soldiers. 

“Then we have… it’s difficult to say, tens of thousands more who are missing in action or are in captivity – and you cannot know for certain because missing in action can be dead.

“I think there are something like 380,000 wounded, [and] there are 20,000 children deported to Russia.”

He added: “Tens of thousands of civilians have [also] died in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.”

Ukraine has often been reluctant to provide casualty figures over fears they could demoralise the country. 

Zelenskyy said in December that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed. 

His comments followed a claim from Donald Trump that 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers had lost their lives.

Meanwhile, the British defence ministry said in January that almost 800,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or injured. 

Trump and Putin could meet ‘in a matter of weeks’

The Kremlin has confirmed that efforts are under way to arrange a face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

It comes after the US president told reporters yesterday that a summit involving the two leaders might happen “very soon”.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said talks between US and Russian officials in Riyadh tomorrow would include discussions about “organising a meeting between the two presidents”.

However, he said the main focus would be on restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries and setting up negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Russia questions European involvement in Ukraine talks

Russia’s foreign minister has expressed doubts over whether European leaders can play a role in Ukraine peace talks.

Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Europe had “already had several chances” to be involved in discussions to end the conflict, and said he did not know what its nations would bring to the negotiating table.

“If Europe wants to continue the war in Ukraine then why would they be invited [to talks]?” he said.

Russia questions European involvement in Ukraine talks

Russia’s foreign minister has expressed doubts over whether European leaders can play a role in Ukraine peace talks.

Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Europe had “already had several chances” to be involved in discussions to end the conflict, and said he did not know what its nations would bring to the negotiating table.

“If Europe wants to continue the war in Ukraine then why would they be invited [to talks]?” he said.