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Through a major step to strengthen its future defense, Ukraine has signed 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. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of families of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, officials said. This event took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Officials Relocate Villages Following Aerial Incident

Romania's authorities announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final authority authority over these actions, a senior White House representative stated. Trump told reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on legislation to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to external challenges.