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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to import US LNG through the area. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate authority authority over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy service against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate in Russia, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its strength to external challenges.