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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, authorities reported. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in American LNG via the area. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romania's authorities announced they had relocated two villages near the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, causing warnings in neighbouring Romania.

US President Trump Willing to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate authority authority over these measures, a senior White House official said. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food-related products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin told Li that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to outside challenges.