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In a significant move to bolster its future defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several families of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. During a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two children taken after Russia's widespread military action of the country in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the minors' return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. This event took place just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American LNG through the region. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard evacuated and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukrainian border after the drone attack on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukraine's ports in the Danube River region, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Legislation

The American leader Trump is willing to approve legislation to enact penalties on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over any such measures, a senior White House official said. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Describes Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a external spy service against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin told Li that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its resilience to external pressures.