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Through a major step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

Several families of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been severed. During a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking White House official stated. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.