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Through a major move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Russia's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa region, authorities said. This event took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import American liquefied natural gas through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube River area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US President Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final decision-making authority over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to apply sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.