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Through a major step to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing warnings in adjacent the country.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russia Penalties Legislation

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final authority authority over these measures, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external spy service against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from the nation, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to outside challenges.