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Through a major move to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and additional essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's widespread military action of the country in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to help with the children's return.

Drone Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains ultimate decision-making authority over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on a bill to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] carried out on behalf of a external spy service against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food-related goods from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external pressures.