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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. This event took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American liquefied natural gas through the region. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

US president Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate authority power over these measures, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.