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In a significant step to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Lose Communication

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in American LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, causing warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Trump Willing to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such actions, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other investments, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate there, the report cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.