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Through a major move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in adjacent the country.

US President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, according to the official media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external pressures.