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In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Families Lose Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. During a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. This event occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas through the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate decision-making power over any such actions, a senior White House official said. The U.S. president told reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

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

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. China also desires that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to put money and do business there, the source cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to external pressures.