🔗 Share this article

In a significant move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities said. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas through the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages Following Drone Incident

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, causing alerts in adjacent the country.

United States President Trump Open to Sign Russian Penalties Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over any such measures, a senior U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Calls Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a external spy service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also desires that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the report cited. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.