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In a significant move to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential gear from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Lose Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages After Aerial Attack

Romanian officials announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube River region, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

US President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority power over these actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president told reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other investments, Leader Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food products from the nation, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the source cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to outside pressures.