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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other essential gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American LNG via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, an high-ranking White House official stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy service against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food-related goods from the nation, as per the official news agency. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside pressures.