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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. This event took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import US LNG through the region. The vessel was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, causing alerts in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over any such actions, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food products from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the source mentioned. Mishustin told his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external pressures.