đ Share this article Kyiv Signs Major Deal for France's Fighter Jets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Air Defence Systems Through a major move to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint press briefing at the ElysĂ©e palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as âa historic deal.â Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Communication A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Russia's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' return. Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa area, officials said. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to import US LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was hurt. Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities After Aerial Incident Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country. US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Legislation The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he retains final decision-making authority over these actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. Trump informed journalists recently that it was âacceptable to meâ that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government. Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an âNever-Before-Seen Act of Sabotageâ The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an âunprecedented act of disruptionâ that might have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened âconcerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind [âŠ] carried out on orders of a external spy service against the Republic of the country.â China Premier Expresses Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and other investments, Premier Li Qiang stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that China is open to more agricultural and food-related products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.