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In a significant step to strengthen its future security, 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 equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's repatriation.

Drone Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages After Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukrainian border after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River region, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Willing to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final decision-making authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump informed journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food-related products from Russia, according to the official news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its resilience to external challenges.