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In a significant move to strengthen its future security, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint press briefing at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact

Several families of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a rare press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who cares for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa

A drone hit a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern the Odesa region, officials reported. This event occurred just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to bring in US LNG via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, as stated by Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew members aboard were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romanian Authorities Evacuate Villages After Drone Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukrainian frontier following the drone attack on the tanker. Since entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube River area, causing warnings in adjacent the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Bill

US president Trump is prepared to sign legislation to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate authority power over these actions, a senior U.S. administration representative stated. Trump informed reporters late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries doing business with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Railway Blast an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

Poland's leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track used for shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. This statement coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a external spy agency against the Republic of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and additional investments, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, according to the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will facilitate for companies from China to invest and do business in Russia, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has consistently proven its resilience to outside pressures.