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In a significant step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and other essential equipment from France. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Relatives Lose Communication

Several families of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been severed. At a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Moscow's widespread military action of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Vessel in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities reported. This event took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a deal to bring in US LNG through the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities Following Drone Incident

Romania's authorities announced they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States President Trump Willing to Approve Russia Sanctions Legislation

US president Donald Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on Russia, as long as he retains final authority power over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official said. Trump told journalists recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting a bill to impose restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Rail Blast an “Unprecedented Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from public prosecutors saying that an investigation had opened “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Leader Expresses Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, farming and additional investments, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more farm and food products from Russia, as per the official news agency. China also desires that Moscow will facilitate for companies from China to invest and operate in Russia, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to external pressures.