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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 as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, 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 press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import American LNG via the area. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Authorities Relocate Villages After Drone Attack

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing warnings in adjacent the country.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making power over any such measures, a senior White House official said. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in disaster. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the source cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.