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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Russia's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas through the region. The vessel was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final decision-making power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin told Li that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to outside challenges.