🔗 Share this article Ukraine Signs Historic Deal for French Fighter Aircraft, Drones and Air Defence Systems 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 fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional essential gear from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a joint news conference at the Elysée presidential residence. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented deal.” Forcibly Taken Minors: Relatives Cut Off Communication A number of families of Ukraine's children 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 uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' repatriation. Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Southern Ukraine An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of the Odesa area, officials said. The incident took place just one day after the Ukrainian president approved a agreement to import US LNG via the area. The MT Orinda was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board evacuated and no one was hurt. Romanian Officials Evacuate Villages Following Aerial Incident Romanian authorities said they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine frontier following the aerial strike on the tanker. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube River region, causing alerts in adjacent the country. US Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Legislation US president Trump is prepared to approve legislation to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate authority power over any such actions, a senior White House representative said. The U.S. president told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on a bill to apply sanctions on countries engaging commercially with Russia over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. Poland's Leader Calls Rail Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Disruption” Poland's prime minister, Tusk, has described an blast along a part of railway line employed in shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. These remarks coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had been initiated “regarding actions of disruption of a terror-related nature […] committed on orders of a foreign spy service against the nation of the country.” Chinese Leader Shows Willingness to Deepen Cooperation with Russia China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, agriculture and other financial ventures, Premier Li stated during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food-related products from the nation, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Moscow will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate there, the source cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external challenges.