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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romanian officials announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, causing warnings in adjacent the country.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is willing to approve legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. Trump informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the report cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.