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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key gear from France. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities said. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US LNG via the area. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romanian officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. After entering the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia 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 authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, as per the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.