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Through a major move to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and other key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

A number of families of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities said. The incident took place just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to bring in US LNG via the region. The vessel was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube River area, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate authority authority over these measures, a senior White House official said. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food goods from the nation, according to the official news agency. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. Mishustin told Li that the partnership between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.