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Through a major move to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. During a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, officials reported. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to import US liquefied natural gas through the region. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian border after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River area, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States President Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is prepared to sign legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final authority power over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a external spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to external pressures.