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Through a major move to strengthen its future security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. After entering the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final decision-making power over any such measures, a senior White House official stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy service against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food-related goods from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside challenges.