🔗 Share this article

Through a major step to bolster its long-term security, the Ukrainian government has finalized a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense equipment and additional key gear from France. The agreement was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “an unprecedented agreement.”

Against Their Will Deported Minors: Families Lose Communication

Several relatives of Ukrainian minors who were taken against their will to the Russian Federation have raised concerns about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. At a rare news conference in the French capital, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two minors removed after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in recent years, said that officials in Russia are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone 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 region, authorities said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy signed a agreement to import US liquefied natural gas through the area. The vessel was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew on board were safely removed and not a single person was injured.

Romania's Authorities Evacuate Villages Following Drone Incident

Romanian officials announced they had relocated two communities near the Ukrainian border following the aerial strike on the tanker. After invading the country in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian harbors in the Danube area, triggering warnings in adjacent the country.

United States Leader Trump Willing to Approve Russian Penalties Bill

US president Donald Trump is willing to approve a bill to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he retains ultimate decision-making authority over these measures, a senior U.S. administration official stated. Trump told reporters late on Sunday that it was “acceptable to me” that GOP members were drafting legislation to apply sanctions on nations engaging commercially with Moscow over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Tusk, has described an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have led to disaster. This statement came as a statement from public prosecutors indicating that an investigation had been initiated “regarding acts of sabotage of a terrorist kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russian Federation

The Chinese government is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Leader Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow. Li told Mishustin that the country is open to more agricultural and food goods from the nation, according to a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate in Russia, the source mentioned. The Russian leader assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has repeatedly demonstrated its strength to outside pressures.