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Through a major move to bolster its future security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

A number of relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities reported. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American LNG via the area. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities After Drone Attack

Romanian officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate decision-making power over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from Russia, according to a state-run media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its strength to outside pressures.