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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Children: Families Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. During a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children taken after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring all requests to help with the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, authorities reported. This event took place just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American LNG through the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkish Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romanian Officials Relocate Communities After Aerial Attack

Romania's authorities said they had evacuated two communities near the Ukraine border after the aerial strike on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

United States President Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on Russia, as long as he retains final authority authority over any such actions, a senior White House representative said. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Polish Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption”

Poland's leader, Tusk, has described an blast along a section of railway line employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that could have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had opened “regarding actions of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on orders of a external spy service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Premier Expresses Readiness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen collaboration with Russia in energy, agriculture and additional financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li informed his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food products from Russia, according to the official media outlet. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its strength to outside pressures.