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Through a major move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a uncommon press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains final decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related nature […] carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from the nation, as per a state-run media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to external challenges.