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In a significant move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. During a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Russia's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas through the region. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities After Drone Attack

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

US president Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final decision-making power over any such measures, an high-ranking White House official stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food products from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside challenges.