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In a significant move to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and additional key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. At a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such measures, a senior White House representative said. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on a bill to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside pressures.