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In a significant step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from France. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Deported 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, stating that all contact has been severed. During a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's authorities said they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River area, triggering alerts in adjacent the country.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on a bill to apply sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside pressures.