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Trump-Zelensky Hot Talk: Even in the Alaska summit, Putin gave a long history lecture to Trump and rejected the terms of the ceasefire. However, he proposed that if Russia got the entire Donbass region, it could station its forces in Zaporozhye and Kherson.
There was a heated debate between Trump and Zelensky. (Credit- Reuters)Usually when regional conflicts reach a standstill, dividing lines are drawn on maps to resolve them. However, maps become symbols of a nation through which citizens experience their territory not just as a place, but as a body. For this reason, the people of Ukraine strongly oppose giving up any part of their land. Thousands of soldiers have sacrificed their lives, making this land sacred and indivisible for them. However, the map of Ukraine for America is not an emotional viewpoint. They see it as a business deal.
Trump threw away the map
Before Zelensky’s visit to the White House on October 17, Putin called Trump and made a new proposal that Russia is ready to withdraw from Zaporozhye and Kherson in exchange for complete occupation of Donbass. This proposal became the reason for a heated debate and map throwing between Trump and Zelensky. Trump later posted on social media,
‘Now is the time to stop the bloodshed and make a deal. Stop where they are. Trump believes that Ukraine and Donbass should be divided along the existing battle lines. In an interview given to Fox News, he had said – ‘Putin will take something, he has won a lot.’ This shows how Zelensky and Trump see things from different perspectives. Zelensky sees this as a sad reality, while Trump sees it as a land dispute in which a powerful country takes over the territories of a smaller country.
White House meeting and maps
The Ukrainian delegation arrived with the map at Trump’s meeting with seven European leaders and Zelensky on August 18, 2025. The White House showed its map of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Russian-occupied areas shown in orange. The map showed that Russia had 99 percent of Luhansk and 76 percent of Donetsk. Putin wanted complete control over both. Trump said in an interview with ‘Fox & Friends’ the next day that ‘a large part of Ukraine is already gone’, making it clear that he was viewing the war as a real estate deal. Zelensky tried to explain to them that it was a question of the integrity of the nation, not just of land. However, after some time Trump said that Ukraine can get the country back in its original form but soon again he supported Putin’s proposal.
Working on Offbeat desk at News18. Earlier Zee Media Ltd. I have experience in digital as well as TV journalism. Also knowledge of writing and production of digital videos. With art and literature during TV journalism…read more
Working on Offbeat desk at News18. Earlier Zee Media Ltd. I have experience in digital as well as TV journalism. Also knowledge of writing and production of digital videos. With art and literature during TV journalism… read more