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Through a major step to strengthen its future security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import US LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate authority authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

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

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in disaster. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on behalf of a foreign spy service against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food goods from the nation, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report cited. The Russian leader told Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to external challenges.