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In a significant move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Communication

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, causing alerts in adjacent Romania.

United States President Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the source cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.