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In a significant step to strengthen its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. During a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romania's authorities announced they had relocated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative stated. Trump told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation 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 Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more agricultural and food-related products from Russia, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate in Russia, the source mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.