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In a significant step to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa region, officials said. This event took place just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to bring in US LNG through the region. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages After Drone Attack

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River region, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russia Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official said. Trump informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence service against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. China also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.