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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Russia's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romanian officials announced they had relocated two communities close to the Ukraine border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is willing to sign legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate authority power over any such measures, a senior U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on orders of a foreign spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Leader Li stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also desires that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside pressures.