🔗 Share this article

In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential equipment from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. This event took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US LNG through the area. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains final authority authority over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin told his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to external challenges.