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Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and additional essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Families Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors taken after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding all requests to facilitate the children's return.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities said. The incident occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to bring in American liquefied natural gas through the area. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities Following Drone Incident

Romania's authorities announced they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube region, causing warnings in adjacent Romania.

US President Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact sanctions on Russia, as long as he keeps final decision-making authority over these actions, an high-ranking U.S. administration representative said. The U.S. president informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on a bill to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

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

The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a section of railway line used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in disaster. These remarks coincided with a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on orders of a external spy agency against the Republic of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen collaboration with Russia in energy, farming and additional investments, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food goods from Russia, as per a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the source cited. The Russian leader assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.