🔗 Share this article Ukraine Signs Historic Agreement for France's Rafale Aircraft, Drones and Air Defense Systems In a significant step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and additional key gear from France. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.” Against Their Will Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's repatriation. Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. This event took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in US LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt. Romanian Officials Relocate Villages Following Aerial Attack Romania's officials said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing warnings in neighbouring the country. US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate authority power over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine. Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage” The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the Republic of the country.” Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and other investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country welcomes more farm and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the source mentioned. Mishustin told Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.