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In a significant move to strengthen its future defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional key gear from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

A number of families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US President Donald Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains final decision-making authority over any such measures, a senior U.S. administration official stated. Trump told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.