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In a significant step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other key equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Families Lose Communication

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's widespread military action of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import US liquefied natural gas via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Villages After Drone Attack

Romanian authorities said they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring Romania.

United States Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate authority authority over any such actions, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on a bill to apply restrictions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on orders of a external spy service against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Leader Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food goods from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also desires that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to outside pressures.