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In a significant step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Lose Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been severed. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors removed after Russia's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, stated that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the minors' return.

Drone Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa region, authorities reported. The incident occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages After Drone Incident

Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages close to the Ukraine frontier after the drone attack on the tanker. Since invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube region, triggering warnings in neighbouring the country.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

US president Trump is prepared to sign legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final decision-making power over these actions, a senior White House official said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in energy, farming and other investments, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China is open to more farm and food products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the source cited. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly proven its strength to outside pressures.