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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and other essential equipment from the French Republic. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. At a uncommon press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding all requests to help with the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages After Drone Attack

Romanian officials announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in adjacent Romania.

United States Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to enact sanctions on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on legislation to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food-related goods from the nation, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Russia, the report cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to outside challenges.