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In a significant step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defense equipment and additional key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Moscow's widespread military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River area, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact penalties on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making power over these actions, an high-ranking White House official said. The U.S. president informed journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have resulted in disaster. These remarks came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on behalf of a external spy service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food-related products from Russia, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.