🔗 Share this article Ukraine Signs Major Agreement for French Fighter Jets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Air Defense Equipment In a significant move to bolster its future security, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and other key equipment from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.” Forcibly Deported Minors: Families Lose Communication A number of relatives of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Russia's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation. Drone Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. This event occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import American LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt. Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities After Drone Attack Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River region, triggering warnings in adjacent the country. US Leader Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation US president Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he retains ultimate authority power over any such actions, a senior White House official said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government. Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage” Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of the country.” China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to put money and operate there, the source mentioned. Mishustin told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to outside challenges.