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Through a major move to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to help with the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. The incident took place just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Communities Following Drone Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making authority over any such actions, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related products from the nation, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to external challenges.