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In a significant step to strengthen its future security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Relatives Lose Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Drone Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US LNG via the region. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Drone Incident

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring Romania.

US President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority authority over any such measures, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. These remarks came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a external spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.