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Through a major step to bolster its future security, Ukraine has finalized a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

A number of families of Ukraine's minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children taken after Russia's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in US LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities Following Drone Incident

Romanian officials said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukraine border following the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to sign a bill to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making power over any such actions, an high-ranking White House representative said. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure 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, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to invest and do business there, the source cited. The Russian leader told Li that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.