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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and additional essential equipment from France. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in US LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romania's authorities announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River region, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States President Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains final authority power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official stated. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] carried out on behalf of a external spy service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food goods from the nation, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.