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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in US LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities Following Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final decision-making authority over these measures, an high-ranking White House representative stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external intelligence service against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. China also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.