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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. During a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US LNG via the area. The vessel was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final decision-making authority over these actions, a senior White House official stated. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other investments, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food-related goods from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.