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In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

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

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

US president Donald Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate authority authority over any such actions, a senior White House official stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on a bill to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is ready to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country welcomes more farm and food products from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the source cited. The Russian leader told Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside challenges.