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In a significant move to strengthen its long-term security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

Several families of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas through the region. The vessel was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, triggering alerts in adjacent Romania.

US President Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making authority over these actions, a senior U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president told reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on a bill to apply sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a external spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official media outlet. China also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and do business there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.