🔗 Share this article

Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to bring in American LNG through the area. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities After Drone Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

US Leader Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve legislation to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final authority authority over any such measures, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external intelligence service against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food-related products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the report cited. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to outside challenges.