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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import American LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Villages After Drone Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring the country.

US President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

US president Trump is willing to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over any such actions, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

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

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external pressures.