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In a significant move to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has finalized a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and additional essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River region, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to enact penalties on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate authority power over any such measures, an high-ranking White House official said. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “concerning acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food products from Russia, according to the official media outlet. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.