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Through a major move to bolster its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and additional key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' return.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import American liquefied natural gas through the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in adjacent the country.

US President Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

The American leader Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority power over these actions, an high-ranking White House representative stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of rail track employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy service against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Shows Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to external pressures.