🔗 Share this article

In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée palace. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian border following the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration official stated. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

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

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of railway line used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terror-related nature […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.