🔗 Share this article Kyiv Signs Historic Agreement for French Rafale Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Air Defence Equipment In a significant move to strengthen its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafale jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key equipment from France. This deal was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy described the pact as “an unprecedented deal.” Forcibly Deported Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication Several families of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to Russia have raised concerns about their fate, reporting that all contact has been cut off. At a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation. Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkey-registered tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. This event took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a agreement to import US liquefied natural gas via the region. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew on board evacuated and not a single person was injured. Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages After Drone Attack Romanian officials announced they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian border after the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, triggering warnings in neighbouring Romania. United States President Donald Trump Open to Sign Russia Penalties Bill The American leader Trump is willing to sign legislation to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he retains final authority authority over these measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine. Polish Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage” Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line employed in shipments to the country as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have led to disaster. These remarks coincided with a announcement from public prosecutors indicating that an inquiry had opened “concerning actions of sabotage of a terrorist nature […] carried out on behalf of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.” China Premier Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia China is prepared to deepen collaboration with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other investments, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, according to the official media outlet. China also desires that Russia will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate in Russia, the source cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.