🔗 Share this article

Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two villages near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he retains ultimate authority authority over any such measures, a senior White House official stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside challenges.