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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Families Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Russia's widespread military action of Ukraine in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US LNG through the area. The vessel was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities After Drone Attack

Romanian officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final authority power over these measures, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a foreign spy service against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

China is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed his counterpart that the country is open to more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside pressures.