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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional essential gear from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of relatives of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import US LNG through the region. The vessel was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Communities After Drone Incident

Romania's authorities announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, provided that he retains ultimate authority power over any such measures, an high-ranking White House official stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] carried out on behalf of a foreign spy service against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li said 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 Russia, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to external pressures.