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Through a major move to strengthen its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional essential equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors 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 the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities reported. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US liquefied natural gas via the area. The vessel was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages After Aerial Attack

Romanian officials announced they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube region, triggering warnings in adjacent Romania.

US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

US president Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish leader, Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external intelligence service against the Republic of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Leader Li stated during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, according to a state-run news agency. China also desires that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the report cited. Mishustin told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its strength to external pressures.