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Through a major move to strengthen its future defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and other essential equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import US liquefied natural gas through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

United States President Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate authority power over these measures, an high-ranking White House representative stated. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. These remarks came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, as per a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.