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In a significant move to strengthen its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Lose Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities said. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to import US LNG via the region. The vessel was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romanian authorities announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River region, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States President Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate authority authority over any such actions, an high-ranking White House official said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have led to catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Leader Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is ready to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other investments, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business there, the source mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to outside pressures.