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In a significant step to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities said. This event took place just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in American LNG through the region. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Villages After Aerial Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

US president Trump is willing to sign legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains final decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. Trump told reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

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

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food products from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to external pressures.