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Through a major move to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Lose Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a uncommon news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in US LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was hit 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 injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities After Drone Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps final decision-making power over any such measures, an high-ranking White House representative said. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Calls Railway Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food goods from the nation, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently proven its resilience to external challenges.