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Through a major move to strengthen its future defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, authorities said. The incident occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in American liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's authorities said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering the country in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, causing warnings in adjacent the country.

US President Donald Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final authority power over any such actions, a senior White House official stated. Trump told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

China is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. The Russian leader told Li that the partnership between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.