🔗 Share this article

Through a major step to bolster its future security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and additional key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa area, authorities reported. This event occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import American LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside challenges.