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Through a major move to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. This event took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in US LNG via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. After entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, triggering warnings in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he retains ultimate authority power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on behalf of a external spy agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to outside challenges.