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In a significant move to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional essential gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's widespread invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romanian officials announced they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in adjacent Romania.

United States President Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over any such actions, an high-ranking White House representative said. Trump told reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a external spy agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the source cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.