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Through a major step to strengthen its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional essential gear from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Deported Children: Families Cut Off Communication

A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been severed. During a uncommon press event in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkey-registered ship and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa region, authorities said. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in US LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew aboard evacuated and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Authorities Relocate Villages Following Drone Attack

Romanian officials said they had relocated two villages near the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Penalties Bill

The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final decision-making power over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. The U.S. president informed reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were working on legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an explosion along a part of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that could have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] carried out on orders of a external spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is ready to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in the energy sector, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and do business there, the report cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.