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In a significant step to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages Following Drone Incident

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final authority authority over any such measures, a senior U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin told his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its strength to external challenges.