🔗 Share this article Ukraine Signs Historic Agreement for France's Fighter Jets, Drones and Air Defence Systems Through a major move to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defence systems and other essential equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.” Forcibly Deported Children: Relatives Lose Contact A number of families of Ukraine's children 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 cut off. During a uncommon press event in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children taken after Moscow's widespread military action of the country in 2022, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's return. Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Odesa A drone struck a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, officials reported. The incident took place just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to import American LNG via the area. The vessel was struck while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew members aboard evacuated and not a single person was injured. Romanian Authorities Relocate Communities Following Aerial Attack Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently targeted Ukrainian ports in the Danube River area, causing warnings in adjacent Romania. US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Approve Russia Penalties Legislation US president Trump is willing to approve legislation to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he retains final authority authority over any such actions, a senior White House official stated. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply restrictions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government. Poland's Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Disruption” The Polish leader, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of railway line employed in deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of disruption” that might have led to disaster. This statement came as a announcement from legal authorities saying that an investigation had been initiated “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the Republic of Poland.” China Leader Expresses Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia The Chinese government is prepared to strengthen collaboration with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other financial ventures, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country is open to more agricultural and food-related goods from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. Mishustin told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience to outside challenges.