🔗 Share this article Ukraine Signs Major Deal for French Rafale Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Air Defence Equipment Through a major step to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other essential gear from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the arrangement as “a historic deal.” Against Their Will Taken Children: Relatives Lose Contact Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who cares for two children removed after Moscow's widespread military action of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are ignoring every appeal to help with the minors' return. Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. This event occurred just a day after Zelenskyy signed a deal to bring in US LNG via the area. The vessel was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. Every one of the 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured. Romanian Authorities Relocate Villages Following Drone Attack Romania's authorities announced they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukrainian ports in the Danube area, causing alerts in neighbouring the country. US Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill The American leader Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation to enact penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps ultimate decision-making power over these measures, an high-ranking White House representative stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to impose sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. Poland's Leader Describes Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption” Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have led to catastrophe. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities indicating that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning acts of disruption of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a external spy service against the nation of the country.” China Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and other investments, Leader Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told his counterpart that the country welcomes more agricultural and food goods from the nation, as per the official media outlet. China also desires that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the report mentioned. The Russian leader assured Li that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently proven its strength to external challenges.