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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key gear from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities said. This event took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import American LNG via the area. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

United States President Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, a senior White House official stated. Trump told reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country welcomes more farm and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.