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In a significant move to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two children removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in American LNG through the area. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, a senior White House official said. Trump told reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of railway line employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign spy service against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional investments, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food products from Russia, according to the official media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the report cited. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.