Why Trump Wants Ukraine to Lose And What To Do About It

This week, the relationship between the United States and Ukraine hit a new low. Washington eased sanctions on Russian diesel. Reports said President Trump suggested Ukraine should find a new leader. Intelligence sharing and Starlink access were, at least briefly, restricted. President Zelensky said he feels betrayed, in some of his most direct public criticism of the US to date. We've already covered the diesel deal itself and Europe's response. In this video, Mr. Owe steps back and asks a different question: why has Ukraine's careful, polite approach with Washington stopped working, what are the competing explanations for US behavior, and what can Ukraine and Europe actually do about it? A note before you watch: motives are genuinely hard to know from the outside. This video separates what's on the record from what's interpretation, and presents more than one explanation rather than treating any single one as settled fact. This is a follow-up to our videos on the Russia diesel deal and Europe's response. Watch those first for full context: [link] [link] IN THIS VIDEO - What actually changed this week: the diesel license, reported comments about Ukraine's leadership, and restricted intelligence sharing - Why Zelensky's public tone shifted after over a year of careful diplomacy - Three competing explanations for current US policy, clearly labeled as interpretation, not fact - The real limits on any president: domestic politics, Congress, and allies - The case for and against public pressure versus quiet diplomacy, including the Piers Morgan interview - What intelligence sharing actually means for Ukrainian civilians - Four concrete things Europe and Canada can do that don't depend on Washington's decisions - What to watch in the coming weeks QUICK ANSWERS Did the US actually cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine? Reports indicate intelligence sharing and Starlink access were restricted, at least briefly, though the exact scope, duration, and reasoning haven't been officially detailed. Why did Ukraine's diplomatic approach change? After roughly a year and a half of avoiding direct criticism of the US administration, the Russian diesel deal, and its implications for war funding, appears to have been a breaking point for Ukraine's public posture. What are the competing theories for current US Russia/Ukraine policy? Three explanations are discussed: a theory about ideological alignment with spheres-of-influence politics, the administration's stated focus on domestic fuel prices ahead of midterms, and a mediator role using sanctions relief as a negotiating tool. None can be confirmed from outside the administration, and all three may be partly true. What can Europe do if US support becomes less reliable? Reduce single-point dependence (on US payment networks, technology, and defense systems), maintain and expand its own sanctions, act collectively rather than country-by-country, and keep Ukraine funded independent of US decisions. QUESTION FOR YOU Do you think public pressure or quiet diplomacy works better with a close but unpredictable ally? And which country are you watching from? Tell me in the comments. SOURCES - Yahoo News (via The Independent), "Zelensky says Trump is on the wrong side of history with Russia diesel deal: 'Putin is laughing,'" Oct. 15, 2026, quoting the "Piers Morgan Uncensored" interview - The Tribune / ANI, "Trump on wrong side of history: Zelenskyy criticises US-Russia diesel deal," Oct. 15, 2026 - See our earlier videos on the diesel deal and Europe's response for sourcing on related claims Note: this video discusses the separately announced "energy ceasefire" (Oct. 11, 2026) and disputed claims of its violation only in brief; for full context on that development, see current reporting. This video also draws on publicly available commentary analyzing this situation; motives discussed are interpretation, not confirmed fact, and cannot be verified from outside the parties involved. This video is educational commentary on a developing news story, not political, financial, or investment advice. SUBSCRIBE Mr. Owe explains money, debt, and the global economy with simple stickman animation. New videos every day/or two: [channel link] Educational content only. Not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. #Ukraine #Geopolitics #CurrentEvents