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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia 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 removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to bring in US LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Communities After Drone Attack

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States President Trump Open to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate authority authority over any such measures, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Describes Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food goods from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.