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In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other essential gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in American liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring the country.

United States President Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he retains ultimate decision-making power over these measures, a senior White House representative stated. Trump told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] committed on orders of a foreign spy service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.