🔗 Share this article

In a significant move to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Lose Communication

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities said. This event took place just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import US LNG via the region. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate decision-making power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on legislation to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

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

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the report cited. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to outside challenges.