🔗 Share this article

In a significant move to strengthen its future security, Ukraine has finalized a letter of intent to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and other key gear from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French president Emmanuel Macron during a shared press briefing at the Elysée residence. The Ukrainian leader referred to the pact as “a historic deal.”

Against Their Will Taken Minors: Families Lose Communication

Several families 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. At a uncommon press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two children removed after Russia's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the minors' return.

Drone Strike Hits Turkish-Flagged Tanker in Southern Ukraine

An unmanned aerial vehicle hit a Turkish-flagged ship and caused a fire in the southern part of Ukraine's Odesa region, officials said. The incident took place just a day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to bring in US liquefied natural gas via the area. The MT Orinda was struck while unloading LPG at Izmail harbor, according to Turkish maritime authority. Every one of the 16 crew members on board were safely removed and not a single person was hurt.

Romania's Officials Relocate Communities After Drone Attack

Romania's officials announced they had evacuated two villages near the Ukraine border after the drone attack on the tanker. After invading Ukraine in recent years, Russian forces has consistently attacked Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring the country.

United States Leader Trump Open to Approve Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is prepared to sign legislation to impose penalties on Russia, provided that he keeps final authority power over any such measures, an high-ranking White House representative said. The U.S. president told journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were working on legislation to apply sanctions on nations doing business with Russia over its failure to reach a peace deal with the Ukrainian government.

Polish Prime Minister Calls Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Act of Sabotage”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has described an blast along a section of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster. This statement came as a statement from legal authorities saying that an inquiry had been initiated “concerning actions of disruption of a terror-related kind […] committed on behalf of a foreign spy service against the nation of Poland.”

Chinese Premier Shows Readiness to Expand Partnership with Russia

China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, farming and other financial ventures, Premier Li Qiang said during a discussion with Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. The Chinese premier informed Mishustin that China is open to more farm and food products from Russia, as per the official media outlet. The Chinese side also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate there, the source cited. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the cooperation between the both nations has consistently proven its strength to outside challenges.