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In a significant move to bolster its future security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Communication

Several families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romania's authorities announced they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he retains final authority authority over any such measures, an high-ranking White House official stated. Trump told reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional investments, Leader Li said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to outside pressures.