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Through a major step to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and additional key gear from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

A number of families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Russia's widespread invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import American LNG via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making power over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration official stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

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

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional financial ventures, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from the nation, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the source cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external pressures.