WASHINGTON, July 29 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the initiative in the war was “no longer in the hands” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that Moscow was suffering significant military losses while refusing to end the conflict.

Speaking during a visit to Washington on Tuesday, Zelensky claimed that Russia was losing approximately 30,000 soldiers each month.

“That is an enormous price, yet he still does not want to stop this war,” Zelensky said, referring to Putin.

The Ukrainian president travelled to Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and meetings with members of the Senate.

Senate Approves Sanctions on Russian Energy Revenues

Zelensky discussed a package of sweeping sanctions intended to reduce Russia’s energy revenues during his meetings with U.S. senators.

The Senate later approved the measures by a large majority.

Zelensky said Ukraine, the United States and European governments all wanted the fighting to end, but accused the Russian president of standing in the way of a settlement.

“We want to stop this war. We are asking for that, President Trump wants it and the Europeans want it, but Putin does not,” he said during a television interview.

Joint Production of Patriot Systems

Zelensky also said he discussed granting Ukraine licences to jointly manufacture Patriot air-defence systems with the United States.

The systems are considered vital to Ukraine’s efforts to intercept Russian missiles and other aerial attacks.

Trump had said during a NATO summit held in Turkey earlier this month that Ukraine would receive a licence to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles.

Zelensky said discussions over the production licences began in Ankara before continuing during his latest meeting with Trump in Washington.

“We had a good meeting with President Trump today. He agreed to grant us the licences,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president added that he later met representatives of major U.S. defence companies and expressed hope that Ukraine and the United States would be able to establish joint production.

The proposed agreement would allow Ukraine to expand its domestic air-defence manufacturing capabilities at a time when Russian strikes continue to place pressure on the country’s military and critical infrastructure.