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In a significant step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to help with the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, authorities said. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas through the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Communities Following Aerial Attack

Romanian officials said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the tanker. After entering Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, triggering warnings in neighbouring the country.

US President Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making authority over any such measures, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Rail Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of rail track used for deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed Mishustin that China welcomes more agricultural and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to invest and operate in Russia, the report cited. Mishustin told Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.