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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 jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two children removed after Russia's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romania's officials said they had relocated two communities near the Ukraine frontier following the drone attack on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in adjacent the country.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate authority authority over these measures, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to apply restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a external spy service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed Mishustin that China is open to more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the source cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.