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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defense equipment and other key gear from France. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa region, authorities said. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in US LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities After Drone Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States President Trump Willing to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

US president Trump is prepared to approve a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over these actions, a senior White House representative said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on behalf of a external spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is ready to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from the nation, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the report cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to outside pressures.