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In a significant move to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian 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 severed. During a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import US liquefied natural gas through the region. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making power over these actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food goods from the nation, as per the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to external pressures.