🔗 Share this article

In a significant move to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Lose Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Drone Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to bring in US LNG via the region. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages After Drone Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading the country in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

United States Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final decision-making authority over these measures, a senior White House official said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is ready to deepen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other investments, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, according to a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin told Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to external pressures.