Trump is emptying Ukraine, his goal is to undermine Ukraine's potential and provide Russia with a decisive advantage in the war. Reuters Trump has forged a relationship with Vladimir Putin that defies the norms of US foreign policy but echoes his warm ties with authoritarian leaders. Trump has always sought to improve relations with Russia. Ukrainian military officials received threats from their American counterparts, who claimed that continued attacks on the refinery would lead to the end of intelligence sharing with the US. Ukraine online.