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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Lose Communication

Several families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. This event took place just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to import US LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over these actions, an high-ranking White House official said. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other financial ventures, Leader Li Qiang stated during a meeting 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 goods from the nation, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.