Russia is intensifying its attacks in Ukraine. Can it make a breakthrough and will Ukraine's stretched defences hold out? @HoansSolo gives me his expert assessment. Putin steps up summer offensive against Ukraine via @ft.

Trump’s shameful Crimea ultimatum to Ukraine via @ft.

From ally to antagonist to predator. FT leader: how should the Europeans respond to Trump's demolition of the transatlantic security relationship. Europe and the crumbling Atlantic alliance via @ft.

“This is Europe’s moment to accelerate and execute,” @EmmanuelMacron tells @khalafroula @labboudles and me. “It has no choice. It is running out of road.”. via @ft.

There's a warning for the rest of Europe in the failure of Austria's mainstream parties to strike a coalition deal, paving the way for Chancellor Kickl. Austria’s far right hits Europe’s soft centre via @ft.

Escalatory dominance? Putin's IRBM missile attack shows Russia's enormous effort to calibrate the actions and not just the words. Vladimir Putin climbs escalatory ladder with missile experiment via @ft.

Once again Estonia is outrider for more robust European support for Ukraine, before and after any "Trump peace". But could the Europeans really be guarantors of UA security without US?.

Europeans should be willing to deploy troops to guarantee Ukraine's security if Nato not an option, says @Tsahkna . European troops in Ukraine would secure Trump peace deal, says Estonia via @ft.

RT @Tom_deWaal: A really good summary of what is at stake in 🇬🇪 #Georgia ahead of tomorrow's election. Glad to be q….

"A battle for the soul of Europe" - my and @NastyaStognei 's take on Georgia's parliamentary elections this weekend, a watershed moment for the country. Is Georgia slipping back into Russia’s orbit? via @ft.

RT @ChristopherJM: Ukraine is facing its darkest moment in the war. And President Zelensky faces increasing pressure from western allies to….

Germany should be doing more not less to bolster European security. My take on the @Bundeskanzler fiasco over slashed aid for Ukraine. Ukraine is the victim in Germany’s botched budget debate via @ft.

The always perceptive @Andriypzag tells me why it was so important for Ukraine to change the war narrative with Kursk incursion - and how Putin will eventually have to pull troops away from Donetsk. Ukraine wrongfoots Russia in Kursk via @ft.

Does it make sense for Ukraine to seize Russian land as leverage for negotiations? Everything will depend on the cost. Ukraine prepares for Trump trade with Russian land grab via @ft.

RT @pmdfoster: .@ft @hallbenjamin sums up French elections 2nd round: . “an invidious choice: a far right dangerously close to power and a….

Update - far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has said the left will pull out its candidates if third behind centrists. Will Macron's camp reciprocate?.

Exit polls suggest there will be a huge number of triangulaires or three-way contests in the run-off on July 7, splitting the opposition to RN vote.

Far-right Rassemblement National is on course for an absolute majority - unless the other parties can unite to stop it in the coming days. French election live: Far-right wins first round, survey shows via @ft.

And while he promises (very vaguely) "a few convictions and a lot of pragmatism" on the economy he is committed to his radical policies on immigration and citizenship. France wants change he says. And he will not be Macron's subordinate.

"I do not intend to go to war with Brussels," @J_Bardella tells @labboudles and me. A lot hanging on intend. His polices would pitch France into a permanent conflict with the EU. via @ft.