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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Russia's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities said. This event occurred 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 unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over any such actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president told reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its strength to outside challenges.