From 36m agoMorning opening: Bastille DayJakub KrupaOver 300 vehicles and 6,500 soldiers will march down the iconic Champs-Élysées in central Paris this morning as part of today’s Bastille Day celebration in Paris, which is set to “send a strategic signal” about France and Europe’s military awakening.Troops get ready for the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background in Paris. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty ImagesMarking the importance of international cooperation, the parade will also include 500 troops from the countries involved in the Coalition of the Willing, including Germany, and 25 soldiers from Ukraine.It will be Emmanuel Macron’s tenth – and final – parade ahead of next year’s presidential election. He has a strong guest list this year, though, with many leaders staying overnight after yesterday’s talks on Ukraine, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.The parade begins 10am local time (9am BST) and we will show it here, bringing you all the key updates.A French flag flies as members of French security services observe the Place de la Concorde from the top of the National Assembly prior to the start of the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France. Photograph: Tom Nicholson/ReutersElsewhere, we are expecting some news from Brussels with Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine all making progress in their accession talks with the European Union.Marta Kos, the EU’s enlargement commissioner, called it a “Super Tuesday.”“In the for more than two decades, we have not had four accession conferences in one day, and this will happen today,” she said.Montenegro is the frontrunner to join the EU next with more than half of “clusters” closed, Kos said, but all four countries are making good progress in delivering the reforms requested of them.Lots for us to cover.I will bring you all the latest here.It’s Tuesday, 14 July 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.Good morning.Key events30m agoLeaders arrive for Bastille Day parade in Paris - in pictures34m agoBastille Day parade in Paris - watch live36m agoMorning opening: Bastille DayThe Bastille Day celebrations started already last night, with a big firework display near the Eiffel Tower.France celebrates Bastille Day with fireworksBut as France continues to battle extreme temperatures and raging wildfires, authorities in several regions banned the broader use of fireworks by the general public.Temperatures are expected to hit 35C in Paris later today, but for now it’s a cool 27C.Macron is here, welcomed by the French chief of defence, among others.He’s off to inspect the parade driving around the Arc de Triomphe in his role as the commander in chief.French president Emmanuel Macron inspects the troops ahead of the 2026 Bastille Day parade Photograph: BFM TVThe French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected imminently, travelling in an armoured car with bright French flag-coloured lights adorning its grille.Ukraine’s Zelenskyy arrives next, to warm applause from the public and the other leaders.Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy gets welcomed by French PM and French First Lady ahead of the Bastille Day parade in Paris. Photograph: Benoît Tessier/ReutersBritain’s outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer is the latest leader to arrive just now, in a black Range Rover.He gets a warm welcome from Brigitte Macron and PM Sébastien Lecornu.Britain's outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer arrives for the Bastille Day military parade, in Paris, France. Photograph: Teresa Suárez/EPALeaders arrive for Bastille Day parade in Paris - in picturesEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Luxembourg's prime minister Luc Frieden and German chancellor Friedrich Merz attend the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Photograph: Benoît Tessier/ReutersFrench prime minister Sébastien Lecornu and Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, welcome European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen before the start of the annual Bastille Day military parade. Photograph: Benoît Tessier/ReutersFrench prime minister Sébastien Lecornu (R) welcomes Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte as he arrives for the Bastille Day military parade, in Paris, France. Photograph: Teresa Suárez/EPABastille Day parade in Paris - watch liveYou can watch our live stream of the Bastille Day parade in Paris here, with final preparations now under way before the event starts soon.France holds annual Bastille Day Parade — watch liveMost leaders are already in their premium seats, including French PM Sébastien Lecornu, with France’s Emmanuel Macron expected shortly before the start at 10am (9am UK).French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu and Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, welcome European Council president António Costa before the start of the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Photograph: Benoît Tessier/ReutersMorning opening: Bastille DayJakub KrupaOver 300 vehicles and 6,500 soldiers will march down the iconic Champs-Élysées in central Paris this morning as part of today’s Bastille Day celebration in Paris, which is set to “send a strategic signal” about France and Europe’s military awakening.Troops get ready for the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background in Paris. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty ImagesMarking the importance of international cooperation, the parade will also include 500 troops from the countries involved in the Coalition of the Willing, including Germany, and 25 soldiers from Ukraine.It will be Emmanuel Macron’s tenth – and final – parade ahead of next year’s presidential election. He has a strong guest list this year, though, with many leaders staying overnight after yesterday’s talks on Ukraine, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.The parade begins 10am local time (9am BST) and we will show it here, bringing you all the key updates.A French flag flies as members of French security services observe the Place de la Concorde from the top of the National Assembly prior to the start of the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France. Photograph: Tom Nicholson/ReutersElsewhere, we are expecting some news from Brussels with Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine all making progress in their accession talks with the European Union.Marta Kos, the EU’s enlargement commissioner, called it a “Super Tuesday.”“In the for more than two decades, we have not had four accession conferences in one day, and this will happen today,” she said.Montenegro is the frontrunner to join the EU next with more than half of “clusters” closed, Kos said, but all four countries are making good progress in delivering the reforms requested of them.Lots for us to cover.I will bring you all the latest here.It’s Tuesday, 14 July 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.Good morning.