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In a significant step to bolster its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to help with the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities said. This event took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import US LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities said they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making power over these actions, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a foreign spy service against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to the official media outlet. China also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside pressures.