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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import American LNG through the region. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

United States President Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Bill

US president Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making power over any such actions, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

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

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a external spy service against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. China also desires that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Russia, the source cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.