Why Trump wants Ukraine to lose – and what to do about it

Summary

The presenter argues that U.S.–Ukraine relations have reached a new low. He points to Trump’s moves to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports and the temporary disruption of U.S. intelligence-sharing and Starlink access. Zelensky has publicly accused the United States of siding with Russia.

The presenter says the diesel decision is especially damaging because it gives Russia economic relief without requiring it to end the war.

Trump’s outlook

The presenter argues that Ukraine and some of its supporters have misunderstood Trump by assuming he respects strength and will back whichever side appears to be winning. In his view, Trump’s outlook is shaped by an imperialist “might makes right” ideology: he accepts that powerful countries can dominate weaker neighbors.

The presenter says Trump applies this logic to Ukraine as well as to places such as Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela, and therefore may see Russia’s claim to dominate Ukraine as legitimate. On this account, Ukraine’s battlefield success is unlikely to persuade Trump to support it; it could instead make him more hostile.

Political constraints and pressure

That does not mean Trump can act without limits. The presenter says U.S. public support for Ukraine, pressure from European allies, and the potential harm to American interests if Europe turns away from U.S. weapons and technology constrain his choices. He argues that Ukraine and Europe should focus less on flattering Trump or tailoring their language to please him, and more on applying political pressure where it matters.

As an example, he describes Zelensky’s direct interview with Piers Morgan as effective because it resonated with many Americans and increased pressure on Trump. The presenter says Starlink was restored and expects intelligence-sharing to continue, partly because cutting off warnings of Russian airstrikes would be politically unpopular in the United States. He is less certain about whether Trump will reverse course on Russian diesel sanctions.

Strategic independence

The presenter concludes that Europe should recognize the political conflict with the current U.S. administration and build greater strategic and technological independence from the United States.

The video also includes a sponsored segment promoting Proton Mail and its privacy features.

Presenter: Anders Puck Nielsen