🔗 Share this article

Through a major step to strengthen its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key equipment from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Communication

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. This event took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority authority over these actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

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

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business there, the source mentioned. Mishustin told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.