US President Donald Trump on Saturday, October 10 criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the two leaders clashed over a new energy agreement between the United States and Russia, suggesting that Ukraine should replace its leadership.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump expressed frustration with Zelensky following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries that Washington had urged Kyiv to avoid.

“You know what I suggest? I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does,” Trump said.

The public dispute follows Trump’s Friday announcement of an agreement reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply global energy markets with Russian diesel fuel in an effort to reduce domestic fuel costs ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

According to U.S. officials, persistent Ukrainian strikes on Russian refinery infrastructure contributed to Trump’s decision to negotiate the deal directly with Moscow.

Zelensky strongly criticized the accord, characterising the agreement as a setback to peace efforts that financializes Russia’s military campaign.

“Investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged,” Zelensky said, describing the move as “a weak decision of strong partners.”

Under the terms posted by Trump on social media, Putin agreed during a phone call to immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to global markets, with an additional 500,000 tons slated for November delivery. The combined 800,000 tons, equivalent to approximately six million barrels—represents roughly one and a half days of total U.S. diesel consumption, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Trump noted that additional shipments of millions of tons of Russian diesel would follow based on the operational condition of Russian refineries.

When asked by reporters whether easing restrictions on Russian energy exports risks prolonging the armed conflict, Trump placed responsibility for the continued fighting on the Ukrainian administration.

“Zelensky could’ve settled this war many times … and he chooses not to,” Trump remarked, adding that the Ukrainian leader “wants to make problems for the world.”

Former U.S. officials and market analysts expressed skepticism regarding the impact of the agreement, pointing out that Russian diesel production has faced severe strain due to recent Ukrainian strikes. Kyiv reported hitting five Russian refineries in the week leading up to the announcement.

Energy analysts further noted that the volumes involved represent a minor shift in overall global supplies.”We are talking perhaps a 5%-6% increase in supply between now and year end,” said Dan Pickering, founder and chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners.

“Bottom line — this is helpful but not a needle mover for global diesel markets. Side note — there is a reason Trump talked about volumes in tons instead of barrels. The tons number looks bigger to a general observer. This is more politics than a game changer.”

Russia had previously instituted a formal ban on domestic diesel exports in early July following widespread fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian drone attacks, withdrawing approximately 800,000 barrels per day from global circulation.

Following the bilateral discussions, Kremlin readouts confirmed Putin’s willingness to resume energy shipments to international markets.

“I am confident that this will have a positive impact on the entire global economy,” Putin stated according to the official Kremlin summary.

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African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has argued that personnel responsible for maintaining and procuring Nigerian Air Force aircraft should not investigate the crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Recall that the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, registration number NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on October 5 during a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.

The Air Force confirmed that all 25 people on board, five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the crash.

It was reports that Sowore, in a post via his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, said he visited the crash site on Friday.

While calling for an independent investigation, Sowore questioned how authorities handled the crash site and wreckage, arguing the process could undermine efforts to establish what happened.

Sowore insisted that experts should recover and examine all parts of the aircraft to establish the cause of the crash.

He also expressed anger over the loss of life, adding that the incident should not be treated as a routine occurrence.

He said, “Those who are responsible for maintenance, procurements should not be the ones investigating what happened. We should bring outsiders.

“That’s not how to investigate accidents. How it is done all over the world is that every part of that aircraft must be retrieved and pinned back together by experts because if there had been a bomb blast, how would we know?

“Something went wrong, and it’s fundamental. And we are just looking at this and saying, oh, they have visited. No, it’s not a matter of the visitors. It’s a matter of the passengers. People died.”

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Violent rioters, many of whom were masked, confronted police at the edge of an anti-austerity march in Brussels. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas.

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the Belgian capital on Friday during an anti-austerity march organized by trade unions.

Masked protesters dressed in black threw rocks and other projectiles at police in Brussels. Anti-police slogans echoed through the streets, and similar graffiti covered nearby walls.

An AFP reporter witnessed two buses being attacked after the passengers were evacuated. The rioters smashed the windows and ripped out the seats. Meanwhile, youths set fire to trash cans, rental bikes, and scooters.

According to Reuters, firefighters extinguished several fires, including those on buses.

How did police respond to protests in Brussels?

The police said officers used water cannons and tear gas after young people on the outskirts of the protest targeted them with sticks and bottles.

“Several hundred youths gathered along with the demonstrators,” police said in a statement. “The atmosphere gradually became more tense and there were serious disturbances to public order.”

In a preliminary update, the police said they had arrested approximately 20 people, mostly minors.

Police also said the main trade union march had gone ahead peacefully. Before the rally, union head Bert Engelaar called on rioters to stay away from the protest.

“Those individuals have nothing to do with the message with which thousands of others come out on the streets,” Engelaar wrote on Facebook.

What are the government’s goals?

Chaotic scenes of violence occurred during a demonstration in which between 30,000 and 50,000 people participated. It was one of many nationwide union protests against planned austerity measures.

Belgium is burdened by substantial public debt and a persistent budget deficit. Led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, the center-right government aims to find €10 billion ($11.2 billion) in savings by the end of its term in 2029.

Rather than imposing cuts in areas like health and hiking VAT, trade unions are pushing for the government to increase taxes on the highest earners.

The clashes in Brussels came after a week of tension in Liege, where authorities banned public gatherings after students clashed with police and vandalized shops. Over 200 people were arrested in Liege, and dozens of police officers were injured.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

Credits: DW.COM

Protesters clash with riot police during a national demonstration against government budget cuts and proposed reforms in Brussels, Belgium, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)