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In a significant step to strengthen its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential equipment from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Cut Off Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two children taken after Russia's widespread invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Drone Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US LNG through the area. The vessel was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities After Drone Attack

Romanian officials said they had relocated two villages near the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority authority over any such actions, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

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

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.