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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and other essential gear from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's widespread military action of Ukraine in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian border after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Sign Russian Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate authority power over any such actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside challenges.