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Through a major move to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other essential gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several families 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 the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romanian authorities said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, causing alerts in adjacent Romania.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over any such measures, a senior White House official said. Trump informed journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] committed on orders of a external spy service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and additional investments, Leader Li stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also desires that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its strength to outside pressures.