🔗 Share this article

In a significant move to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import American liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages Following Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine border 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 area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

US President Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.