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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Villages After Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

US president Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains final decision-making power over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on behalf of a external spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional investments, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently proven its strength to outside pressures.