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In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key equipment from France. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the children's return.

Drone Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in American LNG via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube region, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

United States Leader Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains final decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a external spy service against the Republic of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to invest and operate there, the report cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to external challenges.