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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages Following Drone Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final authority authority over these measures, a senior White House official said. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to impose sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to external pressures.