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Through a major step to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Lose Communication

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to import US LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River area, triggering alerts in adjacent the country.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russian Penalties Bill

The American leader Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final decision-making authority over these measures, a senior White House official stated. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald 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 resulted in disaster. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.