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Through a major move to bolster its future security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Lose Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official said. Trump told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the Republic of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its resilience to outside challenges.