🔗 Share this article

Through a major step to strengthen its long-term defense, Ukraine has finalized a letter of intent to purchase as many as 100 Rafale jets, drones, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Families Cut Off Contact

A number of families of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their well-being, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. During a rare news conference in the French capital, a legal guardian, who is responsible for two minors removed after Russia's full-scale military action of the country in recent years, stated that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's return.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Southern Ukraine

A drone hit a Turkish-flagged ship and set it ablaze in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa area, officials reported. This event took place just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import American LNG via the region. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board evacuated and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Relocate Villages After Drone Attack

Romania's officials said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border following the drone attack on the MT Orinda. After entering Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has consistently targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Trump Willing to Sign Russian Penalties Legislation

The American leader Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose sanctions on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official stated. Trump told reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to impose restrictions on countries engaging commercially with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Case of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of disruption” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terror-related nature […] committed on behalf of a external intelligence service against the nation of the country.”

Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and additional financial ventures, Leader Li stated during a meeting with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier told Mishustin that the country welcomes more farm and food-related products from Russia, as per a state-run media outlet. The Chinese side also desires that Russia will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business there, the report mentioned. Mishustin assured Li that the partnership between the two sides has repeatedly proven its resilience to external challenges.