Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin no longer holds the initiative in the war, according to 20 Minutes. He made the remarks while visiting the United States.
Speaking from Washington, Zelensky said Putin is losing around 30,000 soldiers per month, as reported by Sud Ouest. The Ukrainian leader argued that this rate of attrition means Russia can no longer dictate the pace or direction of the conflict.
The visit marks a shift in tone from previous meetings. Les Echos noted that Zelensky’s reception by former US President Donald Trump was more favorable than during their 2025 encounter. During the Washington talks, Zelensky and Trump discussed Ukraine producing Patriot missile systems, franceinfo reported.
Le Parisien added that the conversation also covered sanctions against Russia and diplomatic efforts to end the war. The discussions come as Ukraine seeks continued Western support to sustain its defense.
Observers will watch whether the claim of shifting momentum translates into concrete changes on the battlefield or in diplomatic negotiations.
