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In a significant step to strengthen its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential gear from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

A number of families of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities reported. This event occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import US LNG via the area. The vessel was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romania's authorities said they had relocated two communities near the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate there, the report cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.