Europe live with Jakub KrupaWorld news France hopes to send ‘strategic signal’ about Europe’s renewed military focus at Bastille Day celebrations – Europe live Many leaders from the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ stayed overnight in Paris to attend the parade, which will be Emmanuel Macron’s last as president LIVE Updated 3m ago Jakub Krupa Tue 14 Jul 2026 09.07 BSTFirst published on Tue 14 Jul 2026 08.46 BST Share Key events 17m ago Leaders arrive for Bastille Day parade in Paris - in pictures 21m ago Bastille Day parade in Paris - watch live 23m ago Morning opening: Bastille Day Fireworks and drone show on the occasion of the annual Bastille Day celebration on July 13 From 23m ago Over 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.
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.
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 events 17m ago Leaders arrive for Bastille Day parade in Paris - in pictures 21m ago Bastille Day parade in Paris - watch live 23m ago Morning opening: Bastille Day 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.
The 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.
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.
France holds annual Bastille Day Parade — watch live Most 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.
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