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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import US liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two villages near the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River area, triggering alerts in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these actions, a senior White House representative said. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign spy service against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other investments, Leader Li stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.