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In a significant move to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors removed after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate authority authority over these actions, a senior U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external spy service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Russia, the source cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to outside challenges.