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In a significant move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkey-Registered Vessel in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials reported. The incident took place just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to import US liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages After Aerial Incident

Romanian officials said they had relocated two villages near the Ukraine border following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, a senior White House representative stated. Trump informed reporters recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to apply sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

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

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have resulted in disaster. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] carried out on orders of a foreign intelligence service against the nation of the country.”

China Leader Expresses Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and other investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business there, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.