🔗 Share this article

In a significant step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Villages Following Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

US Leader Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over any such measures, a senior U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on behalf of a external spy agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food products from Russia, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.