Trump's Controversial Ukraine Map: A Disagreement over the Reality on the Ground

A map displayed by U.S. President Donald Trump to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a White House meeting has sparked a wide-ranging debate about the extent of Russian territorial control in Ukraine. The map, which showed frontline positions and combat zones, indicated that Russian forces were in control of most of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions (in the east), as well as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia (in the south).

A Clash of Perceptions and Figures

Zelenskyy did not hesitate to voice his disagreement with the data presented. In a post-meeting press conference, the Ukrainian President stated that he did not "entirely agree" with the percentage of Ukrainian territory shown on the map as being under Russian control. He noted that he had provided Trump with additional details about the battlefield situation. When Trump described the map as "good," Zelenskyy replied, "I'm thinking about how to get that land back," to which Trump laughingly responded that they would "find a solution."

The map itself showed the eastern part of Ukraine shaded in pink, symbolizing occupied territory. It also included precise percentages of areas under Russian control, such as Luhansk being 99% under Russian control, according to BBC.

Land Swap: The Core of the American Plan?

Trump has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of a "land swap" as a potential component of any agreement to end the war. He has also suggested that the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally occupied and annexed in 2014, might not be returned to Ukrainian authority. According to Axios, Trump views this exchange as a "necessary part" of any settlement. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk region as a condition for a ceasefire, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

For his part, Zelenskyy has consistently affirmed that Ukraine will not cede its territory, especially in the Donbas region. He recently announced that the issue of territory would be a key topic at a future summit involving himself, Putin, and Trump, indicating that the discussion of borders and sovereignty remains a central and open point in efforts to resolve the conflict.