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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import US LNG via the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is willing to sign legislation to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final decision-making authority over these measures, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to external pressures.