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Through a major move to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and other key equipment from France. This deal was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Families Lose Communication

A number of families of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a rare news conference in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import American LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages After Drone Incident

Romania's officials announced they had relocated two villages close to the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the tanker. After invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US President Trump Open to Sign Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making authority over these actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative stated. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

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

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, according to a state-run media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the report cited. Mishustin told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.