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Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, drones, air defense equipment and additional essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several relatives of Ukraine's minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their well-being, reporting that every line of communication has been cut off. During a rare news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Russia's widespread military action of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to help with the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Strike Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in American LNG via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew aboard were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities After Aerial Incident

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube River region, causing alerts in adjacent Romania.

US President Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final authority power over these actions, an high-ranking White House official said. Trump told reporters recently that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

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

Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in deliveries to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. These remarks came as a announcement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more farm and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader told Li that the cooperation between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external pressures.