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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and other key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Lose Communication

A number of families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. During a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa area, officials said. This event took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US LNG via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages After Drone Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making authority over any such measures, an high-ranking White House official said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Describes Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that the country is open to more agricultural and food goods from the nation, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to outside pressures.