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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

A number of families of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Russia's widespread military action of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US LNG via the region. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making authority over these actions, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to apply restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its strength to outside pressures.