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In a significant move to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defense equipment and other key gear from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import American liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Villages After Drone Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final decision-making power over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.