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Through a major step to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's widespread military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making authority over these measures, an high-ranking White House representative stated. Trump told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning acts of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of the country.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is ready to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from the nation, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate there, the report cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.