🔗 Share this article Kyiv Inks Major Agreement for France's Rafale Jets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Air Defence Equipment Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defense equipment and other key equipment from the French Republic. This deal was formalized by Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. Zelenskyy referred to the pact as “a historic deal.” Against Their Will Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Contact A number of relatives of Ukrainian minors who were forcibly deported to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that every line of communication has been cut off. During a rare press event in the French capital, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors removed after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are ignoring every appeal to help with the children's return. Unmanned Aerial Strike Hits Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa A drone hit a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a deal to import US LNG through the area. The vessel was hit while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkey's Directorate for Maritime Affairs. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and no one was hurt. Romanian Officials Relocate Communities After Aerial Attack Romania's officials said they had evacuated two communities close to the Ukraine frontier after the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since invading the country in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube River region, causing warnings in neighbouring Romania. US Leader Donald Trump Willing to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill US president Donald Trump is prepared to approve a bill to enact sanctions on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate authority power over these measures, a senior U.S. administration representative said. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Disruption” Poland's leader, Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a section of railway line used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terrorist nature […] committed on orders of a external intelligence agency against the nation of the country.” Chinese Premier Shows Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russian Federation China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, farming and other investments, Premier Li said during a discussion with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. Li informed his counterpart that China welcomes more agricultural and food products from the nation, according to the official news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and do business in Russia, the report mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the cooperation between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its resilience to outside pressures.