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In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been severed. At a rare press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in American LNG through the area. The vessel was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final authority power over any such actions, a senior White House representative stated. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence service against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and other investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food-related products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Russia, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.