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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defense equipment and other key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities said. The incident took place just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to import American LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romanian officials announced they had relocated two villages near the Ukrainian frontier after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains ultimate decision-making authority over any such actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

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

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. This statement came as a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food products from Russia, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate there, the report cited. The Russian leader told Li that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its strength to outside pressures.