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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and other key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Communication

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in American LNG via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages After Drone Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is willing to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains final authority power over these measures, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Describes Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.