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Through a major move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential gear from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Drone Attack

Romanian officials said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making authority over any such actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president told reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that China is open to more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.