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Through a major step to bolster its future security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Drone Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages Following Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on legislation to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on behalf of a foreign spy agency against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to outside pressures.